Name ___________________________________________
Renaissance Men Internet Activity
I.
Leonardo da Vinci
http://www.pbs.org/empires/medici/renaissance/leonardo.html#scientist
1. Describe da Vinci’s experiences in Florence.
2. In Milan, he is famous for painting _____________________.
3. Explain da Vinci as a scientist.
http://www.leonardoda-vinci.org/the-complete-works.html
4. Look over the works of da Vinci. (Leonardo kept notebooks of his research into science, biology,
anatomy, engineering and art. Many of the works you see here are from his notebook where he drew
his inventions—some of which were 500 years ahead of his time.)
What 3 do you find the most interesting? Why?
II.
Michelangelo(click on his name on the right of the PBS webpage)
http://www.pbs.org/empires/medici/renaissance/michelangelo.html
1. What are the 4 works that he is most well-known for (see 1st sentence)?
2. What was Michelangelo’s relationship with the Medici family?
3. Describe his experiences while sculpting the “David” statue.
4. Click “next.” Describe Michelangelo’s dilemma with painting the ceiling to the Sistine Chapel?
Why did he believe the pope had chosen him?
5. Describe the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
6. At the end of his life, he was asked to come back to the Sistine Chapel to do another painting.
Describe the “Last Judgment.”
III.
Machiavelli (click on his name on the right of the PBS webpage)
http://www.pbs.org/empires/medici/renaissance/machiavelli.html
1. In his early years, Machiavelli attempted to overthrow the Medici’s in Florence and bring
the city-state back to a republic. This plot failed so… (what happened next—start reading
½ way down the page at “Abandoning his youthful ideas…”)
2. At this point Machiavelli began writing his book called _____________________ (see at the end of
page). Who did he dedicate the book to? Why?
3. Today, he is known as the “father of political science” because of his ideas in this book. He said that
rulers should be shrewd and do not have a need for morals.
Still, even today, the term "Machiavellian" is used to describe an action undertaken for
gain without regard for right or wrong.
IV.
Thomas More (Thomas More was from England—all of the others were Italian)
http://www.biography.com/people/thomas-more-9414278#synopsis
1. More wrote the famous book called ________________. Describe this book. (scroll
down—you will see the title in ‘’ marks)
2. He became one of English King Henry VIII most trusted advisers. Yet, he eventually goes at against
the king. What was their dispute about?
3. What ultimately happened to Thomas More (how did he die)? Why?
V.
Overview—See Schoology to answer these questions (you do NOT need to answer
them on this sheet)
1. Take the poll (click on “Updates” on the left to find the poll): Who do you think is the most influential of
all of the Renaissance men?
2. A Renaissance man, also referred to as a polymath, is a person whose expertise spans a significant
number of different subject areas. Do you think it is possible to be a Renaissance man today? Why or why
not?
If yes, give an example of someone today that is a Renaissance man (could also be a woman). Why?