The Humanist Movement
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Life was oriented around and organized toward people acting in groups. The ensuing political philosophy dictated that the smallest component of society was not the individual but the family. Christianity also encouraged this sense of community. (Ch 11, p.224). Within the context of a successful Christianity, economic changes in the 12th through the 14th centuries gave rise to a money economy and the development of a capitalist system. By the second half of the 14th century, economic changes were so pronounced in Italy, that a largely urban society began to develop, whose rich and secular spirit created new possibilities for the enjoyment of worldly things(Ch. 13. p. 407-8). This revived emphasis on individual ability became known as Humanism.Thisaper shall illustrate that the Humanist movement changed prevailing views of the idealized man and woman. The Roots of Humanism At the beginning of the 14th century, a literary movement among mostly upper class, educated writers and artists in northern Italian cities begat the Renaissance. These individuals attempted to emulate as closely as possible the percieved expertise of the literary figures of ancient Rome. Because the study of all things Roman was particularly important, a course of or the enjoyment of worldly things(Ch. 13. p. 407-8). This revived emphasis on individual ability became known as Humanism.This pre had been quashed by the prevailing group consciousness. Humanism differed from the prevailing s
. . .
practical use.(+
Mr. Bruni goes on to describe the proper study of women to be in the fields of religion and morality. Furthermore,women are not truly to study these things in depth, but to follow the edicts of hese things in depth, but to follow the edicts of the men who have already done the work(Ch. 11, pp. 345-5).
Baldassare Castiglione, in The Courtier, gives us his view of the idealized mans+ nature.
-I hold that the...true profession of thmans+ nature.
-I hold that the...true profession of the Courtier...be that of arms...I would have him more than passably learned in letters...Let him be conversant not only with the Latin language, but with Greek as well...and let him be practiced also in writing verse and prose. especially in our own vernacular...These studies, moreover, will make him fluent, bold and confident in
speaking with everyone...+
In his descriptions of a womans+ idealized nature, Castiglione has other characteristics in mind.
-I think that in her ways, manners, words, gestures, and
bearing, a woman ought to be very unlike a man; for just as he must show a certain solid and sturdy
. . .
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1934
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)
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