Renaissance
Literature
“How-to” Books
Written for ambitious
men & women.
Explained how to rise
in the Renaissance
world.
Niccolo Machiavelli
“How-to”
RULE
The
Prince
The Prince
“…
it is much safer to
be feared than
loved.”
“…the end justifies
the means.”
Baldassare Castiglione
The Book of
the Courtier
“How-to”
BEHAVE
The Book of the Courtier
"Men demonstrate
their courage far
more often in little
things than in great."
Common Vernacular
Authors wrote mostly in Latin.
The growing middle class
demanded new works in their
vernacular.
Works written in the common
language of the time period.
William Shakespeare
Poet &
Playwright
Wrote for
average people.
In turn helped
educate the
masses
Hamlet
“To be, or not to be: that is the
question: Whether 'tis nobler in
the mind to suffer the slings
and arrows of outrageous
fortune, or to take arms against
a sea of troubles, and by
opposing end them?”
Humanist Literature
Focused on things writers
had passion for
They expressed their love,
hate, desire, or anger in
their writing.
The Renaissance
Francesco Petrarch – the
“Father of Humanism”
 Collected Greek & Roman
manuscripts.
He brought ancient writings to
western Europe
 Francesco
Petrarch – the
“Father of
Humanism”
 Collected
Greek & Roman
manuscripts.
 He brought
ancient writings
to western
Europe
“I turned my
inward eye upon
myself …”
Francesco Petrarch
Poet
Wrote to an
imaginary,
ideal
woman.
Canzone #3
It was on that day when
the sun's ray was
darkened in pity for its
Maker, that I was
captured, and did not
defend myself, because
your lovely eyes had
bound me, Lady.
WHY I LOVE YOU
 It seems like just yesterday we
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were on our first date
All those years ago I knew this
would be our fate
Losing you is my biggest fear
If I think about it I shed a tear
Your eyes are so beautiful
When I look into them my world
becomes joyful
Your hair shines so bright
People say you look out of sight
Your smile makes my day
It makes me just melt away
When you were your uggs
All I want to do is give you hugs
When I am with you I always
lose my breath
 When I am away from you I feel
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like death
In all my dreams I could never
imagine such a life
But the best part is I have you as
my wife
My life is not complete unless I
am with you
Anyone try to stop us and they
will see my kung-fu
You have made me the man I am
today
Please do not divorce me I don’t
want to pay
Simply put you are my everything
Simply put I hope I can be your
something
Sir Thomas Moore
Utopia
Imaginary,
ideal
society.
All equal.
All worked to
support society.
Desiderius Erasmus
• Criticized church’s lack of
spirituality
• Too complicated and
ceremonial
• “The Praise of Folly” is
his most famous work
“I doubt if a single individual could be found
from the whole of mankind free from some
form of insanity. The only difference is one
of degree. A man who sees a gourd and
takes it for his wife is called insane
because this happens to very few people.”
New Thinking!
St Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica
“buying and selling seem to be
established for the common advantage of
both parties”
“Just Price”
Church allows profit if its uses
were “appropriate”….(“necessary” and
“virtuous”
Changes in Thought
During the Renaissance
 Humanist Perspective
 Focused on Individualism –
All people have dignity & worth
 Studied Greek & Roman
Works
 Lost Faith in the Church
Changes in Thought
During the Renaissance
 All People Could be Educated
 Focused on Ordinary Man
 Citizenship & Leadership a
Must for All Citizens
 Become Knowledgeable &
Interested in a Lot of Different
Topics - Well Rounded Citizens