Blog Post #50 -Italy part 2-

Looking to Greece and Rome
- renaissance scholars looked down on the art and literature of the Middle Ages
- they wanted to return the learning of the Greeks and Romans
- first, artists and scholars of Italy drew inspiration from the ruins of Rome that surrounded them
- second, western scholars studied ancient latin manuscripts that had been preserved in monasteries
- third, Christian scholars in Constantinople fled to Rome with Greek manuscripts when the Turks conquered the Constantinople in 1453

Classical and Worldly Values
- studying the manuscripts gave scholars a new outlook on life and art
Classics Lead to Humanism
- humanism~ an intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements
- humanists influenced artists and architects to carry on classical traditions
- humanists popularized the story of subjects common to classical education
- history, literature, and philosophy are called the humanities
Worldly Pleasures
- humanists suggested that someone enjoys their life without offending God
- the wealthy enjoyed material luxuries, good music, and fine foods
Patrons of Art
- church leaders became patrons of the arts by financially supporting artists
- renaissance merchants and wealthy families were also patrons of the arts
- the wealthy would have their portraits painted or by donating art to show their importance
The Renaissance Man
- Renaissance writers introduced the idea that all educated people were expected to create art
- a man who excelled in many fields was praised as a "universal man", later called the "Renaissance men"
- Baldassare Castiglione wrote a book called "The Courtier" that explains how to do that
- the idea young man was one that was charming, witty, and well educated in the classics
- he should dance, sing, play music, and write poetry
- he should be a skilled writer, wrestler, and swordsman
The Renaissance Woman
- according to "The Courtier", upper-class women were expected to know the classics and be charming, but not have to go for the fame
- expected to inspire art not create it
- better educated than medieval women
- Isabella d'Este was born into the ruling family of the city state of Ferrara
- she was educated and brilliant
-

Blog Post #49 -Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance-

Italy's Advantages

- Renaissance~ the movement that started in Italy that started an explosion of creativity in art, writing, and thought that lasted from 1300 to 1600 

- this term means rebirth 

- spread from n northern Italy to the rest of Europe

- it thrived because of the thriving cities, a wealthy merchant class, and classical heritage of Greek and Rome

City States

- overseas trade, spurred by the Crusades, led to the growth of city states in Northern Italy 

- Italy was urban while most of Europe was still rural

- in the 1300's the bubonic plague struck killing up to 60% of the population 

- merchants began to pursue art

Merchants and the Medci

- a wealthy merchant class developed in each city state

- merchants dominated politics

- they did not inherit social rank

- during the Renaissance Florence became under the rule of Medci

- Cosimo de Medci was the richest European of his time

- was dictator of Florence for 30 years

- died in 1464, but his grandson Lorenzo the Magnificent took control

Blog Post #48 - Test Day (not for me) -

     Today in class everyone except me was taking the test on Rome. Since I was out for 2 weeks and that is when everyone was learning the topic, Mr. Schick was nice enough to not make me take the test. I am very thankful for that because I would have had to learn all the information in like 2 days. Im actually writing my blog in class right now and everyone seems to be done with the first page. For the rest of class I think I'm going to just be working on my English writing project that I am behind on. Im super happy though because I finally got caught up on the book that we are reading. I'm getting caught up in my other classes, everyone was freaking out thinking I had so much work to do but really it wasn't that much. Not having to learn about Rome in the span of 2 days really helped though so thank you Mr. Schick.

Blog Post #47 - I'm back -

     Today in class (wait did I actually just say that) I WAS FINALLY BACK. Not that I'm like excited about it or anything but I'm glad I'm not going to keep getting makeup work. I was gone for 2 weeks and it was terrible. I don't have that much work like I think ill be able to get completely caught up by next week. Having some time this weekend will definitely help. Anyways it was the first class back and I thought everyone was going to be taking the test today, but Mr. Schick rescheduled it. I mean if I was in everyone else position id be happy. When everyone was reading I was just reading my book and annotating that I'm trying to get caught up on. I'm supposed to be on page 115 but I'm on 70 something. Thats actually good cause I annotated a good 30 pages in class today so it was a very productive class for me.

blog post #45 - sick again-

     Today in class I was not there because I am still sick with the flu. This is terrible.

Blog Post #45 -still sick-

     In class friday I was not there because I am still sick. Its currently Saturday and I still feel terrible I really hope I'm okay by Monday.

Blog Post #44 -Super sick-

     Today I was not in class because I am very sick. I have missed 4 days of school this week and I really hope I feel at least a little bit better to go to school tomorrow. I am so behind in all my classes I'm getting very stressed. Ive tried to do the most I can but I haven't been able to get any stuff out of my locker. I will try to get caught up in this class as soon as possible.