Renaissance Themes

Individualism, Secularism, Humanism, Classicism

• Humanism vs. Study of God

  • Coined in Italy in the late 15th century

  • Focus on literature, human arts, humanities, and Classics

  • Belief in the worthiness of studying man

• Humanities

  • Pursuit of activities proper to mankind

  • Emphasis on reading Roman and Greek literature

• First Generation Humanists

  • Francesco Petrarch, Giovanni Boccaccio, John Colet, Sir Thomas More, Desiderius Erasmus

Individualism vs. Community

• Emphasis on the uniqueness of the individual

• Advocates for the full development of one's capabilities and talents

• Encourages pride in one's achievements

Secularism vs. Religious

• Focus on non-religious themes

• More concerned with the worldly than the spiritual

• Contrasts Aristotle's views with Plato's

• Example: Raphael's "The School of Athens" is secular

Classicism vs. the Bible

• Emphasis on studying Greek and Roman literature and philosophy

• Understanding classical works in their own context

• Classical literature reflects life on earth, not just a