The Renaissance(Lit Book pg. 192-212)

Rediscovering Ancient Greece and Rome• “Renaissance” means “rebirth,” it referred to

an era where old Greek and Roman classics were rediscovered, a flourishing of human spirit, curiosity, and creativity.

• In the old classics, Renaissance people rediscovered the Greek and Latin languages.

• A Renaissance person: someone interested and active in all aspects of life (humanities, art, science, math, such as Leonardo da Vinci).

It All Began in Italy: A Flourish of Genius• Italy gained influence and wealth from trading with Asia and the

Mediterranean.• The main religion in Europe at this time was Roman Catholicism.• The church and its popes added to artistic endeavors by

sponsoring/commissioning great artists of the day.• Many Renaissance artists had an optimistic view of humanity;

they believed that individual human beings in paintings were noble, near perfection.

Humanism: Questions about the Good Life• Humanists looked to the classics and Christianity for inspiration.• Humanists asked 3 questions about life: 1. What is a human being? 2. What is a good life? 3. How do I lead a good life?• Humanists found no conflict between the ideas of the Church

and ancient Romans; they sought to combine the two.• Humanists used combined philosophies to teach about how to

live, how to rule

The New Technology: A Flood of Print• Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in about 1455• This invention changed society by increasing the speed,

availability of printed materials; the Bible was most popular and widespread

In Short, the Renaissance involved:• People expanding education through Greek and

Roman classics• The spread of humanism, attention to life here and

now as well as eternal life for humanity• The printing press, spread of scholarly Latin• A growing richer merchant class with wealth from

Age of Exploration to challenge the elite

Two Friends—Two Humanists• Desiderius Erasmus (1466?-1536)

was the best known Renaissance humanist, a monk who lived in the world, traveled, taught Greek, loved classics; he was loyal to the Church, yet saw its shortcomings

• Thomas More was British lawyer who rose in government stature, humanist, wrote Utopia in 1516 (analyzing social, economic, penal, moral problems within Great Britain and a narrative describing "utopia“)

• A “utopia” is an impractical perfect image of society

• More’s affect on the world included being admired for his ethics; he is admirable to modern lawyers

The Reformation: Breaking with the Church• All church reformers rejected authority of

Pope and Italian churchmen.• The final break with the Roman Church

occurred in England in 1533.• The British resented rule by the Vatican

because of patriotism/national identity, church taxes, and protestant ideas.

• Martin Luther contributed to the Reformation because he founded principles of self-interpretation of Bible & rejection of the Pope, a public movement towards a new denomination.

King versus Pope: All for an Heir• Trouble between the Church and King Henry VIII began

when Henry's marriage to Catherine required a special dispensation (for marrying his dead brother’s wife).

• Henry had two motives for getting rid of Catherine: 1. She was old and plain and couldn't bear a son. 2. Henry had his mistress Anne Boleyn, whom he wanted to

marry.• Henry responded to the Pope’s refusal by formally breaking

away from Catholic Church and Pope and establishing state Church of England, with king and Archbishop of Canterbury as heads.

• When Thomas More when he stood up to Henry he was beheaded.

• This event began the Protestant Reformation because a new church had broken with Catholic Church; it opened the way for other Protestant denominations in England.

Beheaded.

Anne Boleyn

2

Divorced.

Catherine of Aragon

1

Died.

Jane Seymour

3

Divorced.

Anne of Cleves

4

Beheaded.

Catherine Howard

5

Survived!!

Catherine Parr

6

Henry VIII: Renaissance Man and Executioner• The five Tudor rulers of England were Henry

VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I.

• Henry is considered to be a “Renaissance Man” because he was interested poetry, music, art, architecture, athletics, hunting, and humanism.

The Boy King and Bloody Mary• Henry’s surviving children (in order of birth):

Mary I, Elizabeth I, and Edward VI.• Edward was intelligent but sick and weak; he

ruled in name only (died at age 15).• Mary was totally opposite from her father

Henry. She was a devout Catholic and married Spanish king. She allied herself again with the Pope and persecuted protestants.

(1553-1558)

(1547-1553)

Elizabeth: The Virgin Queen• Elizabeth’s first task as queen was restore law and order by

reestablishing Church of England.• She kept peace with Spain by pretending to plan on marrying

her sister's widower.• Elizabeth never married because she would be stronger as an

independent queen, she would not be subservient to a husband.

• Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, was next in line for the throne and plotted to kill Elizabeth.

• Elizabeth responded to this plot by ordering her cousin’s house arrest and eventual beheading.

The Spanish Armada Sinks: A Turning Point in History• King Phillip of Spain used the execution of Mary

Queen of Scots as an excuse to attack.• In 1588, the English Royal Navy defeated

the Spanish Armada.

Elizabeth I (reigned 1558-1603)

1546 1558 1575

A Flood of Literature• Elizabeth became symbol of peace, security, and prosperity, and

many types of literature flourished during her reign; she was represented mythologically in poetry, drama, fiction.

Decline of the Renaissance• James I, son of Mary Queen of Scots (and Elizabeth’s second cousin)

succeeded her on the throne .• James, however, lacked Elizabeth’s strong character: he was bad with

money, awkward, and a foreigner.• The new king’s biggest accomplishment was the King James Bible.• James was followed by Charles I (who

was beheaded by his subjects in 1649), then Charles II.

• After Elizabeth died, the political climate was characterized by weak leadership, eroded Renaissance values, and the end of English Renaissance.

• The last great writer of the Renaissance was John Milton.

The Family of Henry VIII

Philip of Spain

Mary I

Henry VIII

Edward VI

Elizabeth I

“War”

“Peace” & “Plenty”