Renaissance Society
in her Introduction Prof. Bondanella makes two very bold and striking statements about education during this time period: “The Renaissance was in the best sense a vast educational process, and Italy was the teacher of Europe.” She goes on to say that: “The revival of classical learning was in many ways key to the Italian Renaissance.” Using direct quotes (plus page numbers in parentheses) discuss the main points developed in her argument. How does she describe “humanism” and what was its value to Renaissance society? Explain. Prof. Bondanella then goes on to describe the Italian writer Petrarch as “the central figure in the rise of Italian humanism” (we’ll have the pleasure of reading some of Petrarch’s love poetry a little later in the course). Using direct quotes, plus page numbers, from Bondanella describe the qualities she says made Petrarch such an important figure during the Renaissance. What does she mean when she states that Petrarch “provided his age with an example of what it meant to be human in his life and his writings”? Discuss Using my “Helpful Notes” discuss why art was so important during the Italian Renaissance and why the influence of ancient Roman art was so important to the Italians. Using Prof. Turner’s own words in quotes, plus page numbers, describe why he saw Florence as a “marketplace for art”. What examples does he use to make his point? Why are the sculptural works Prof. Turner discusses in his third chapter called “speaking statues”? What examples does he use to illustrate that phrase?
