How Does Castiglione Reflect Renaissance Humanism

2. Castiglione helped developed Italian courtly society with The Book of Courtier. In this book, he talks about certain ideals that aristocrats should have. This book soon became very popular and is a fundamental guidebook for European aristocrats. Castiglione described his ideal courtier with three basic attributes. First, they should have fundamental personality like impeccable character, grace talents, and noble birth. Second, they should do bodily and military exercises and fill his life with arts (musical instrument, drawing, and painting). Finally, nobles have to make good impressions but also be modest. They should show grace in their accomplishments.

4. Renaissance Humanism was an intellectual movement that involved the study of classical literary works of Greeks and Romans.

Followers of renaissance humanism were called humanists. The literal works consist of grammar, rhetoric, poetry, moral, philosophy, and history. They were al works of past Greeks and Romans. Humanism had a huge affect on education because they believed education created change. Humanist schools started to appear and the focus of the school was on liberal arts, which were ideas of Cicero and Quintilian. Liberal arts were similar to literary works and taught the students in history, moral, philosophy, eloquence, letters, poetry, mathematics, astronomy, and music. The goal was to create citizens who followed the oath of virtue and wisdom.

6. The Iberian Peninsula was separated into different kingdoms before the unification of Spain. Aragon and Castile were the strongest kingdoms, west was the independent monarchy of Portugal, north was kingdom of Navarre, south was the Muslim kingdom of Granada. Spain was united when Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon married. Since Castile and Aragon were the strongest kingdoms at the time, the marriage combined their kingdoms, which was a major step towards the unification of Spain. If the marriage did not happen, Spain might have never happened or the smaller independent kingdoms could have combined to create a smaller Spain.

8. The major figures of the Renaissance papacy are Julius II, Sixtus IV, and Alexander VI. Julius II is known for using bloodshed and was very involved in war and politics. He was called the “warrior pope”. Pope Sixtus IV made five of his nephews as cardinals and gave the many church offices. This lead to the increase of personal finance. Alexander VI was known for his debauchery and scandalized the church. He encouraged his son, Cesare, to make a state for himself in central Italy. If I was a scholar at that time, I would have written a book on the corruption of the church and start a movement to remove the popes from the church.

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2. The characteristics and advantages Renaissance families looked for were the reputation of their parents, the amount of the dowry, how their personality is like, beauty, and her hobbies. It is very similar to what people look for when they are looking to be in a relationship with someone. But, Renaissance families also focused mostly on the reputation of the family and how willing they are to allow the daughter to marry someone. The marriage would most likely have no emotional connection because they did not have a choice and they don’t get to build up a connection with each other before going to marriage.

4.

Machiavelli’s advice to a prince who wanted to hold power is that they have to instill fear into the people. He believes fear is important because it restrains men, as they fear being punished. Love will never help you hold power because it attaches people to promises. Machiavelli believes that since humans are wicked, they will break these promises whenever their interests is at stake. Men will devote everything to you if you serve their interests, but as soon as you need help, they turn on you. Therefore, creating fear in them is the perfect strategy. I feel like Machiavelli is being sarcastic and did this to get attention. He knew his way of thinking was different and would get the attention of the people.

6. In the Oration on the Dignity of Man by, Mirandola states that God create man as a creature with indeterminate nature and was placed in the middle of the world. The nature of everything else in the world besides humans is limited by the boundaries of laws created by Us. Only men are constrained by no limits. Humans have unlimited potential and you get to chose how to live your life. Humans are neither heaven nor earth, and we have the power to be reborn into a higher

form.

8. Vasari considered Leonardo an artistic genius because he believes he is endowed by heaven with beauty, grace, and talent. Everything he does is inspiring and comes from God. Vasari says Da Vinci has infinite grace and was a genius. Everything he did seemed to be with ease. He possessed great strength and dexterity. Vasari believes this talented gift that Leonardo Da Vinci has is from the grace of God.