Questions on the Renaissance
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Reasons that the Renaissance originated on the Italian peninsula include all of the following EXCEPT the peninsula's
a.
geographic location
b.
political organization
c.
religion
d.
social structure
e.
economic structure
Which of the following is NOT a Renaissance value?
a.
mastery of ancient languages
b.
patronage of the arts
c.
scholarly achievement
d.
proficiency in the military arts
e.
civic duty
Renaissance humanism
a.
devalued mastery of ancient languages
b.
urged the development of a single talent to perfection
c.
valued ancient philosophers as the final authorities on all matters
d.
denied the existence of God
e.
valued scholarship for its own sake and for the glory it brought the city-state
Renaissance art
a.
was characterized by the severe specialization of its artists
b.
was characterized by religious subject matter
c.
abandoned painting in favor of sculpture
d.
was characterized by its concern for the human form
e.
did not require patrons
The Renaissance
a.
was amovement of uniquelyWestern origins.
b.
began in the Eastern Roman Empire.
c.
was a result of the Crusades.
d.
represented a complete break from medieval traditions.
e.
was a period of classical tradition rather than independent innovation.
Answers and Explanations
1.
2.
3.
4.
C. The religion of Renaissance Italy, which was Catholicism, was shared by many of the European kingdoms. Choice A is
incorrect because the Italian peninsula's geographical location wasa reason the Renaissance began here: As the gateway to
Europe for Eastern trade coming in through the Mediterranean Sea, Italy was the first region to benefit from economic
recovery and the influx of ancient texts. Choices B, D, and E are incorrect because the fact that the Italian peninsula was
organized politically into independent city-states (choice B) that competed with each other commercially (choice E) meant
that the traditional nobility was less powerful and that social status was less hierarchical and based on occupation (choice
D). All these factors allowed for the development of the individual ambition and civic pride that characterized
Renaissance values and ideals.
D. Proficiency in the military arts had been a traditional value of the nobility of medieval Europe, but it was downplayed
in the Renaissance. The other choices are values particular to the Renaissance.
E. Renaissance humanism did indeed value scholarship. In contrast, choice A is incorrect because Renaissance humanism
did not devalue the mastery of ancient languages; in contrast, it sought to revive and encourage such learning of Greek
and Latin, for example. Choice B is incorrect because Renaissance humanism emphasized well-roundedness, not just the
perfection of a single talent (think of today's use of the term "Renaissance man"). Choice C is incorrect because, although
Renaissance humanistsrespected the ancient philosophers, they did not view them as the final authorities but instead
believed they could enter into conversation with and eventually surpass them. Finally, choice D is incorrect because
Renaissance humanists did not deny the existenceof God at all: In contrast, they believed that all of man's abilities
were gifts from Godthat should be developed to the fullest.
E. All of the answer choices are true: Choices A, B, and C are accurate and constitute the ways in which northern
humanism helped to bring about the Reformation, thus choice D is also true.
5. C. Among the results of the Crusades was renewedWestern interest in the splendid cities of
the East. Also, the wealth obtained by Italian city-states resulted from acting as suppliers of
provisions and transportation for crusaders. Beginning in the northern Italian city-states (B),
the Renaissance was a revival of the Greco-Roman culture that had been preserved by the Muslims in
Spain and in the eastern portions of the former Roman Empire (A). Although it dwelled on
subjects in this world, the Renaissance continued some medieval traditions by featuring some art of
a religious nature (D). Whereas the Renaissance represented a return to the Greco-Roman classics,
the use of perspective and new varieties of color in Renaissance painting represented independent
innovation (E).