AIM: How did the Renaissance change people’s view of the world?DO NOW: What is the meaning of the term “Renaissance?” Why is this term used to describe this period of European history? HOMEWORK : What is the meaning of “humanism?” How would a humanist’s view of the world (or the individual) differ from a medieval person’s views? Answer in at least two paragraphs.

The word “Renaissance” means rebirth.

Rebirth• The word “Renaissance” means rebirth.

• It was a time of rediscovery. Renaissance thinkers were increasingly interested in science and the arts. They were less interested in religious answers.

• They also looked to past civilizations like the Greeks and Romans for inspiration.

Renaissance thinkers were interestedin discovering new ways of thinking

and seeing.

Activity #1:• Humanism was a philosophy followed by writers that started in 14th century (1300-

1399) Italy. It was part of the Italian Renaissance. Humanists believed in the following ideas:

• Writing about everyday life. During the Middle Ages, writers wrote about religious topics. Humanists writers and humanists artists were more interested in the world they lived in.

• Studying about and copying ideas from ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. They were very interested in the Greek and Roman ideas that each person has dignity and that life had more meaning than preparing to go to heaven.

• Getting a good education. Humanists also used common everyday language. During the Middle Ages, most books and all education were in Latin. Humanist writers wrote in national languages such as French, Italian and German. Universities started to teach in these languages. This made it easier for people to understand. It also meant that the Church, which used Latin in its services and which wrote the Bible in Latin, lost some of its power to control education.

Questions: Answer all questions in full sentences in your notebook. 1. What was humanism?2. List three ideas humanists believed in?3. Why did writing in national languages make humanists more popular?

Humanism

• During the Renaissance, humanism became popular.

• Humanism is the belief that human actions, ideas, and works are important.

• Humanists rediscovered the ancient Greeks and Romans.

During the Renaissance,

humanismbecame popular.It was the belief

in the importanceand uniqueness

of man.

Secularism

• During the Renaissance, secularism became popular.

• Secularism is a non-religious viewpoint.

• Secularists look to scientific thinking for answers as opposed to religion.

Secularists look to scientific thinkingfor answers.

Activity #2:• “It is fitting for a man to come from a noble birth…gifted by nature

and beauty…to have grace…it is fitting also to know how to swim, to leap, to run, to throw stones…Another admirable exercise, is the game of tennis…Let him be versed in poetry, and not less in the orators (makes speeches in public) and historians, especially in this vulgar tongue of ours; for besides the enjoyment he will find in it, he will by this means never lack agreeable entertainment with the ladies, who are usually fond ( to like) of such things…When dancing in the presence of many and in a place full of people, it seems to me that he should preserve a certain dignity (pride), even if tempered with an airy grace of movement…”

-Renaissance Manners by Baldassare Castiglione

Do you think you would enjoy knowing this kind of person that Castiglione describes? Why or why not?