Primary Source Readings for Exam 1

Question 1

• a letter written in Italian to his friend in Avignon, France (“Socrates”)
• laments the effect that the plague is having on human friendship
• he explains how he cannot feel sadness anymore due to how much sadness he has endured due to the lose of people close to him and not, especially his friends though
• says that if you did not die during the last wave of the plague, you were likely to die the next wave
• questions God’s punishment of humanity in this way

Answer 1

• “Letters on Familial Matters”
• by Petrarch
• middle third of the 14th century (1349)
• written concerning the black death

Question 2

• praises the city of Florence in Latin
• says that it has all the qualities that make a city ideal
• antique and modern aspects
• unique
• includes the sacred and secular buildings, the cleanliness, the councils that govern the city, and the citizens of the city (industrious, generous, magnificent, pleasant, and urbane)

Answer 2

• “In Praise of the City of Florence”
• by Bruni
• first third of the 15th century (1404)
• a part of renaissance humanism
• his description of the city characterizes the renaissance
• he shows admiration and praise of the capabilities of human as can be seen within the city of Florence

Question 3

• discusses human nature with a background of ancient philosophy and Christian theology
• explains Creation by combining the Genesis story with the hierarchical cosmos from Ancient Greek science
• explains that God gives us the freedom to make our own decisions and either ascend or descend the hierarchy of the cosmos
• the human person is excellent wondrous and fit to praise God’s creation

Answer 3

• “Oration of the Dignity of Man”
• by Pico della Mirandola
• last third of the 15th century (1486)
• part of the renaissance humanist movement

Question 4

• describes points, lines, and planes and how they are perceived in modern science
• depicts on a flat surface a composition of objects made up of points, lines, and planes, which are qualified by size, position, color, and light, and these in sum will produce the painting that the audience will perceive
• says that those who learn the contours of the plane can become a great artist
• artistic theory

Answer 4

• “On Painting”
• by Alberti
• middle third of the 15th century (1435)
• part of the renaissance humanist movement
• mediates between humanism and art
• AKA mediates between classically trained elites and artisans who used their hands
• during the Renaissance, the social status of the artist rose
• this text describes art in a mathematic, geometric, and optical form that takes skill

Question 5

• the document of Constantine was believed to be from the 4th century and gave Pope Sylvester I temporal control over Western Europe
• he explained that Constantine did not have the power or right to transfer the lands to the Pope and the Pope had no desire or right to receive them
• the author was an expert of Latin
• he realized that the Latin used in the document was 8th century Latin, not 4th century Latin
• thus, he demonstrated that it was forged and did not occur
• thus, he argues that the Popes have not been good shepherd of the church and they take the wealth and property of God’s people
• he attacks the papacy
• he is not deterred by the power of the church because he knows he is right and trusts in God

Answer 5

• “On the Donation of Constantine”
• by Valla
• middle third of the 15th century (1440)
• renaissance humanism and religion
• renewed interest in Ancient Greece and Rome

Question 6

• satirizes the clergy and monks and their practices
• says that they believe that they are magnificent creatures
• saying psalms as a matter of reputation rather than from their hearts
• religious orders have tension between them
• says how they do not truly live a well-regulated life
• they think that heaven is not nearly a suitable reward for their labors

Answer 6

• “The Praise of Folly”
• by Erasmus
• first third of the 16th century (1511)
• Christian humanism
• Erasmus argues fro reform of the church and points out issues in the church
• he never argues that there should be a split within the church
• wants to reform within its existent structure
• he calls for more educated clergy and doing rituals for spiritual reasons

Question 7

• argued that faith is solely between an ordinary Christian individual and God
• the ordained people of the Church have no power over the individuals
• one’s relationship with God is unmediated
• one does not have to follow the laws of the Church in order to achieve salvation

Answer 7

• “Treatise on Christian Liberty”
• by Martin Luther
• first third of the 16th century (1520)
• established sola fide

Question 8

• conflict between the Catholics and the Huguenots from the Catholic perspective
• Saint-Médard and the Patriarch

Answer 8

-“Discourse on the Sacking of Catholic Churches by Heretics”

-by Claude de Sainctes
(a Catholic priest)

• middle third of the 16th century (1562)
• tension between the Catholics and protestants in France, which was formerly staunchly Catholic
• leading up to the French Civil Wars of religion

Question 9

• conflict between the Catholics and the Huguenots from the Protestant perspective
• Saint-Médard and the Patriarch

Answer 9

• “The True Story of the Insurrection, Uprising, and Sedition Directed by the Priests of Saint-Médard against the Faithful”
• a Protestant (no known author)
• middle third of the 16th century (1562)
• tension between the Catholics and protestants in France, which was formerly staunchly Catholic
• leading up to the French Civil Wars of religion

Question 10

• tells of her experiences during a massacre and trying to find a safe place to stay
• was a protestant

Answer 10

• “Escape from the Massacre”
• by D’Arbaleste
• last third of the 16th century (1572)
• St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre