Subjects:
was a time for a re-awakening of educated thinking, great artistic endeavors, and an
empowering factor of humanism to use free will to govern one's future rather than
allowing the church to dictate the correct path in life.
The city of Florence became the center for much of this activity, where artists and
scholars were sponsored royally by like-minded families of great wealth and social
power. More emphasis was put onto education as a means of freedom from ignorance
instead of a reason to serve God. There was a shift in power from the church to a general
secularization in all areas of life, with the main focus being on the enhancement in the
studies of the arts. The arts were looked at in a new way, using humanism as the new
religion and the new way to achieve the greatest possible virtue.
The actual term Renaissance means "re-birth", which is essentially what was taking place
overall, in Florence and other Italian states.
"For Burckhardt this period consisted, broadly speaking, of the 15th century
in Italy, a time and place in which "medieval" man became "modern" man."
. . .
"Humanism was the most important single intellectual movement of the
Renaissance.
3
The infallible teachings of the church combined with the power of the Pope, were
constantly challenged by the humanists and those that followed this new style of thought.
5
. These beliefs and
views were strongly frowned upon by the church, who tried in vain to reassert their
influence on society. This was an argument to prevail throughout the Renaissance.
They embraced the classics; translating many from the ancient Greek and Roman
script they were originally created in, and redefining how these works were originally
interpreted. No longer were individuals
prepared to accept the teachings of the church as their guidelines in life. They were the intellect behind the
Renaissance and brought to light a new view of what should be taught and studied. An ever-increasing amount of
followers of humanism reaffirmed the fact that humans are individuals and not just souls
passing through earth on their way to eternity in heaven or hell.
With it's economic and social standing becoming rapidly elevated, and due to the strong
tradition of democracy it held, Florence would prove to have the ideal surroundings for
the birth of artistry in the Italian Renaissance movement.
"The Christian truth that had been acknowledged as comprehending all
phenomena, earthly or heavenly, now had to co-exist with a classical
attitude that was overwhelmingly directed toward earthly life. (3)
Humanism was not only focused on education; this way of thinking also held power over
other aspects of the Renaissance. The church however, could only accept this wealth if it was used for the greater
good of society. (1)
This was a re-birth of ideas, learning, communication, artistry and beliefs.
Essay's Topics
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