A: Renaissance Europe 3. The Humanist Approach p.58

Question 1

Humanist

Answer 1

A person who adopts a system of thought that centers on humans and their values, capacities and worth; concern the interest, needs, and welfare of humans

They looked back to the ancient classical civilizations of Greece and Rome, studied their writings and art and applied classical ideas in their own lives and work.

Humanism was spread through the wealthy people of society.

Humanists believed that:
- human beings can use the power of reason, that is, thinking, to find truth for themselves
- It is important for a person to have an open, curious, and questioning mind
- People can achieve great things through learning
- Individuals should be skilled in many different areas (mind, body, and spirit)
- they wanted to make ancient works available to the widest possible readership
- people should read good books, and look at great works of art
- many humanists were dedicated teachers who ran their own schools “educating the whole child”

Question 2

Why did humanists put so much emphasis on education?

Answer 2

They believed it was important to train people’s characters as well as their minds

Question 3

Scholar

Answer 3

A humanist thinker

Question 4

Civic

Civic humanist

Answer 4

Relating to citizenship or civic affairs

A civic humanist would believe that being a responsible citizen meant educating yourself about history and political issues and working to improve society

Question 5

What did civic humanists believe?

Answer 5

Civic humanists believed that being responsible citizen meant educating yourself about history and political issues and working to improve society.

Question 6

Who was Francesco Petrarch?

Answer 6

• humanist thinker
• early Renaissance
• believed in Classical past
• did not like the medieval world which he called the dark age
  “our own age has always repelled me… In order to forget my own time, I have constantly striven to place myself in spirit in other ages, and consequently I delighted in history”

Question 7

Classical

Answer 7

Ancient Greek or Latin literature art or culture

Latin is the language of the Romans and was the language of scholars and the church.

Question 8

Who developed the Olympic Games?

Answer 8

The Greeks

Question 9

Who developed the jury system?

Answer 9

The Greeks

Question 10

Renaissance worldview was a result of intercultural contact with earlier civilizations. Which civilizations were these?

Answer 10

• Classical civilization: Greek and Roman
• Islamic civilization: that preserved classical civilization and further developed it especially in sciences, math, and medicine with influence from India and the Far East

Question 11

What are some remarkable ruins of the Roman civilization?

Answer 11

• Colosseum in Rome where gladiators sometimes fought to the death
• Aqueducts that even today carry water great distances into the cities
• Roads that once allowed travel throughout the Roman Empire

Question 12

Colloseum

Answer 12

A large theatre or stadium

Question 13

Aqueduct

Answer 13

A channel used to move water, usually supported on a bridge structure when it had to cross a valley

Question 14

Philosopher

Answer 14

One who studies the truth and principles underlying human conduct and knowledge and the nature of the universe

They taught people how they could improve themselves and their society through their own efforts

Question 15

Democracy

Answer 15

A form of government in which people elect representatives to rule a country

Named after the Greek system of participatory government

Question 16

What is civic humanism?

Answer 16

Public service was the duty of everyone in soviety

Question 17

Rhetoric

Answer 17

The art of making speeches

Question 18

Patrons

Answer 18

A person who pays artist to create works of art

They played an important role during the Renaissance.

Artists made works to decorate private homes or to display in public places.

Question 19

Petroglyphs

Answer 19

Art that is carved into a rock.

Ojibwa artist Norval Morrisseau uses images from these rocks now since the rocks were an excellent medium to preserve art over a long period of time.

Question 20

Pictographs

Answer 20

Drawings or paintings on a rock wall (drawn on rather than carved into)

Question 21

Pieta

Answer 21

A sculpture that represents the Virgin Mary mourning over the dead body of Jesus

Question 22

Facade

Answer 22

The face of a building

Question 23

Vernacular

Answer 23

The language commonly spoken by the people who live in that region (such as Italian, French, and English)

The vernacular became more common in books or texts throughout the Renaissance.

Question 24

Why did historic books become more accessible?

Answer 24

Because they were written in the vernacular of the nation

Question 25

Who created the David?

Answer 25

Michaelangelo

Question 26

What does the David represent?

Answer 26

It represents that they the people can overcome the government

Question 27

What did the educated people of the Renaissance think of ancient works?

Answer 27

Thy admired the elegant writing styles

Question 28

How was humanism connected with religion?

Answer 28

To develop ones talents was to serve God because God provided you with those talents

Question 29

What were the four things humanists believed?

Answer 29

• Human beings can use the power of reason to find truth for themselves
• It is important for a person to have an open, curious, questioning mind
• People can achieve great things through learning
• Individuals should be skilled in many different areas

Question 30

How was religion affected during the Renaissance time?

Answer 30

Because humanism encouraged open questioning minds people didn’t need the church to tell them everything

Question 31

What kind of themes of art was there in the Middle Ages and Renaissance?

Answer 31

Religious themes and landscapes

Question 32

What are the elements Renaissance artists used to paint?

Answer 32

Natural world
Light and shadow
Texture and pattern
Realistic details
Elegance

Question 33

What were artists seen as before they became popular?

Answer 33

They went from skilled labourer to artist

Question 34

Why did people begin to sign their work?

Answer 34

To take credit for their masterpieces

Question 35

Who was Christian de Pisan?

Answer 35

She was the first professional European writer