Italian Renaissance Research Paper

The Italian Renaissance was a historical era whereby the Europeans and especially the Italians took advantage of medieval learning and the Italian trade that developed as a result of the Crusades. The Europeans benefited from the “new learning” as well as a more honest assessment of political action.

Certain factors led to the beginning of the Italian Renaissance. The Byzantine city of Constantinople fell around 1204 due to the Fourth Crusade, also known as the Siege of Constantinople. This allowed Venice to take Byzantine land and create commercial monopolies. Venice took the islands of Corfu and Crete (HISTORY OF VENICE). The Republic of Venice also held a monopoly on Asian trade; which consisted of mainly spices and silk. This monopoly

Bardi and Peruzzi were two wealthy banking families. They offered financial services. This led to European leaders being in debt to the families. Florence remained a great banking center even after the fall of the Bardi and Peruzzi. The Medici would eventually become a supreme banking family and power in Florence. The power that the wealthy had, however, lead to conflicts. In 1343, wealthy merchants tried to put a military dictator in power but it ultimately failed (Ciompi). The Ciompi, lowest ranking in economic and social groups, were inspired by “the guilds representing the middling elements of the population” who were granted a bigger part in government (Ciompi). The Ciompi tried to also gain a part in the government. They were turned down in 1378 and the Ciompi rebelled against the

The development was mostly because of Dante, Boccaccio, and Petrarch. Their writings were a foundation for the modern Italian language. Dante was from a Florentine noble family. He was exiled from Florentine in 1302. Dante wrote the extremely renowned Divine Comedy in Italian vernacular. The poem follows Dante as he goes through hell, purgatory, and heaven. Divine Comedy is considered a great representation of the medieval world-view. Boccaccio was also a Florentine and wrote in the Tuscan dialect. His most known work was the Decameron. The story takes place during the Black Death. It involves ten people who run away to try to escape and spend time telling stories. The story shows a more secular view because the hero of the story is a seducer instead of being the traditional knight or monk. Petrarch mainly wrote sonnets that were inspired by his love for a woman named Laura. He was also one of the first humanists. The Renaissance also brought about a renewed interest in the Greek and Hebrew language. Humanists were especially interested in the languages. The Bible began to be printed in Hebrew, Greek, and other vernacular languages. The Bible became a subject of study and new interpretation (The