During the Middle Ages, people in western Europe thought of the Catholic Church as the center of their existence, guiding them along the rough road of life to salvation. Around 1400 a dramatic change began to take place in Italy and in western Europe. As people became more involved in business, government, military, and social events, they no longer focused all their attention on religious matters. People began to rediscover the world around them and realize that they were an important part of it. They had believed that life in this world was primarily a preparation for heaven, and this gave way to an interest in the here and now. After centuries of symbolic religious images, artists looked to nature for inspiration, creating works that mirrored the people, places, and events of the real world. This change of view was brought about through a revival or “re-awakening” of interest by artists, writers and philosophers in the art and literature of ancient Greece and Rome.
This period from about 1300-1600 is referred to as the Renaissance, a period of great awakening. Renaissance means “rebirth” in French. This interest in the classics was called humanism. Humanists—the scholars who promoted humanism—embraced the Greco-Roman belief that each individual has dignity and worth. Literature, the Arts and Science where in full bloom. Such cultural splendor changed the way man was perceived and brought about a new conception of life alongside with the reinstatement of ethical values and a greater freedom of thought and expression. The Renaissance still holds a powerful appeal over us as it reminds us of what we are capable of when we cultivate change or turn it into action and creativity. How many times are we reborn in the course of our life? How many times we change the way we perceive the world or see with new eyes the reality that surrounds us, maybe with the “amazement of first times”? In the middle of the fifteenth century, a German printer named Johannes Gutenberg perfected the printing press, an invention that ranks as one of the most important contributions of the Renaissance. Within years, thousands of presses were in operation in Europe, and hundreds of books were printed from these presses. This mass-production capability made available to great numbers of readers the works of ancient Greek and Roman writers, religious books, and volumes of poetry and prose. 1. What are the benefits of living for the future? What are the benefits of living for an afterlife? v. What are the benefits of living in the moment? 2. We are living in a humanist time like the Renaissance; in what ways do you see our culture celebrating the dignity and worth of each individual? What is most amazing about living in the current age? 3. The printing press transferred thought and information around the world just like the internet is exponentially growing knowledge, communication, and collaboration today. In what ways can we use our artistic expression with technology to be our best? What helps you see the world with new eyes? 4. We are a tribal species and thrive when we are united and sharing ideas. What modern ideas are most powerful for our success? How can we create connectedness, feelings of belonging, meaning and purpose, and believe that we have a future that makes sense? 5. A "Renaissance Man" was good at many things like Leonardo Da Vinci. Loen Battista Alberti said “a man can do all things if he will.” The ideal embodied the basic tenets of Renaissance humanism, which considered man the center of the universe, limitless in his capacities for development, and led to the notion that men should try to embrace all knowledge and develop their own capacities as fully as possible. You can do anything. What do you like to study? What ideas excite you? What hobbies and talents do you practice? How do you pursue what interests you? Who are your most interesting friends? What topics do you like conversing about? Where do you like to travel? What makes you a well-rounded person? How are you growing into a superhero? Please share your thoughts in a 7-10+ sentence answer, giving concrete examples of your ideas.
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