New Ideas and ArtCh. 17 Section 2

HumanismHumanism is an idea based on the values of

the ancient Greeks and RomansHumanist believe that the individual and

human society are important.Humanist can be religious, but believe in a

balance between faith and reason.It was a main principal of the Renaissance

and the artwork that accompanied the Renaissance.

Hooked on PhonicsDuring the Renaissance, educated people wrote in

Latin, especially in the Church.People began to write in vernacular, or the

language of the common people.IN the early 1300’s, Dante Alighieri wrote on eof

the first famous works in vernacular, The Divine Comedy.The Divine Comedy tracks a mans journey from hell

to heaven.It marked a change in writing and also the audience.Chaucer also wrote the Canterbury Tales during this

time about the levels of English society.

Johannes GutenburgJohannes Gutenberg developed the printing

press in the early 1450s.The printing press was revolutionary for

several reasons:Print books more quicklyMore books available led to higher literacy

ratesBooks became cheaper, and available to a

larger number of peopleReligious and scholarly works could be debated

easier

Renaissance in EnglandIn England, The Renaissance took place in

writing and theater more than art.William Shakespeare was one of the greatest

examples of the Renaissance in England.He wrote tragedies, comedies, and historical

plays.His plays are still popular to this day, 500 years

after his death.Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Nights Dream,

and Much Ado About Nothing are some of his most famous works.