Role Of Humanism In Italian Renaissance

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Throughout the Italian Renaissance, Europeans saw an enormous shift in psychology from the different ways that they viewed humanity. Humanism, or the refocused values of humans dealing with emotions and potential for achievements, is an important concept that helped the Italian renaissance change the way people viewed society. As the Renaissance progressed, Francesco Petrarch wrote a series of poems, which illustrated the concept of humanism. The poem Il Canzoniere contained 366 poems inspired by a girl named Laura who Petrarch had never met before. The second poem, in particular showed humanism when Il Canzoniere states, “ … when I was partly other than I am, I hope to find pity, and forgiveness, for all the modes in which I talk and weep, between …show more content…

The people living in Europe at this time needed to follow the concepts of humanism in order to achieve successes that the Romans had. Throughout The Courtier, a work of literature written by Baldrasare Castiglione, the idea of humanism is evident. This is due to Castiglione constant talk about what the perfect man should do and achieve throughout their life. According to The Courtier, “Let the man we are seeking be very bold, stern, and always among the first, where the enemy are to be seen; and in every other place, gentle, modest, reserved…” (Castiglione, 12). Castiglione is revealing that if humans follow these expectations a beneficial society will be achieved. Furthermore, this connects to the concept of humanism, for the people of society are getting an image in their head of what a perfect human or man should be like. In addition, Castiglione shares his insight on concepts that would allow Italy to become as strong as the Roman Empire. Obviously, Baldrassare Castiglione influenced humanism on the people living in Italy, at this point in