Who am I?

Station 1

Considered to be the father of humanism, this individual assembled a library of Greek and Roman manuscripts. His translations of Greek and Roman literature, philosophy, and history encouraged other Europeans to revisit these works for inspiration in how to live and study.

This is an excerpt on one of his letters praising the Greek poet Homer:

To turn now to details, I am very eager for knowledge, and consequently was delighted beyond all measure and belief by what you wrote about your instructors, of whom I had never before heard, although now I shall rever them because of the merits of their great pupil; and about the origin of poetry, which you explain at the greatest length. [I am also interested], last of all, about the number of your works, the majority of which even the Italians, your nearest neighbors, have never so much as heard of. As for the barbarians, who bound us upon two sides, and from whom I would that we were separated not by lofty Alps alone but by the whole wide sea as well, they scarcely have heard - I will not say of your books, but even of your very name. You see how trivial a thing is this wonderful fame which we mortals sigh for so windily. . .

Who am I?

Station 2

This artist utilized subjects from the Bible and styles from ancient Greece and Rome for her paintings. To encourage realism and symbolism, the artists frequently focuses light on the subject to make them the most important part of the painting.

Minerva, 1615

Painting by the artist of the Roman goddess of wisdom.

Roman Plate featuring Minerva, goddess of wisdom.

1st Century CE.

Who am I?

Station 3

Although considered to be his greatest work, this artist despised the working conditions required to paint the murals for the Sistine Chapel. He complained that his posture and eyesight was ruined. Work days were frequently interrupted by visits from the Pope who could not understand why the work was taking so long to complete. Featured here is the center section of the ceiling where God, escorted by angels, gives the spark of life to Adam, the first man.

Who am I?

Station 4

Considered one of the greatest creative geniuses of the Renaissance, this artist preferred to make his subjects as realistic as possible in order to stress their humanity. In this painting we see the 12 Apostles and the Virgin Mary carrying Jesus off the cross as he is dying.

Who Am I?

Station 5

This playwright gained recognition for his plays and poetry. Not only was he a skilled wordsmith whose vocabulary helped expand the English language, but his characters tackle problems that are still relevant to us today.

Here the main character is depressed and contemplating suicide or handling his problems. He is thinking out loud, not expecting a response.

Original Play

Modern Translation

To be, or not to be? That is the question—

Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,

And, by opposing, end them? To die, to sleep—

No more—and by a sleep to say we end

The heartache and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to—’tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wished! To die, to sleep.

To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there’s the rub,

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,

Must give us pause. There’s the respect

That makes calamity of so long life.

The question is: is it better to be alive or dead? Is it nobler to put up with all the nasty things that luck throws your way, or to fight against all those troubles by simply putting an end to them once and for all? Dying, sleeping—that’s all dying is—a sleep that ends all the heartache and shocks that life on earth gives us—that’s an achievement to wish for. To die, to sleep—to sleep, maybe to dream. Ah, but there’s the catch: in death’s sleep who knows what kind of dreams might come, after we’ve put the noise and commotion of life behind us. That’s certainly something to worry about. That’s the consideration that makes us stretch out our sufferings so long.

Renaissance Learning Stations

Station 1

· Who was this person?

· What is your supporting evidence from the text?

· Homer died centuries before this person was born. Why would he want to write a letter in praise of a long dead poet?

· How does our Person indicate that his knowledge about Homer is new, to both himself and other Europeans?

Station 2

· Who was this person?

· What is your supporting evidence from the text?

· Compare the similarities between the painting and the silver plate.

· How does this painting demonstrate the ideals of humanism and the Renaissance?

· What are your personal thoughts on the painting?

Station 3

· Who is this person?

· What is your supporting evidence from the text?

· Some historians believe that the Artist intentionally drew God’s cape in the shape of a brain. What would be his purpose in doing so?

· How does this painting demonstrate the ideals of humanism and the Renaissance?

· What are your personal thoughts on the painting?

Station 4

· Who is this person?

· What is your supporting evidence from the text?

· How does this painting help illustrate the Renaissance person’s feelings towards the lessons and stories in Christianity?

· How does this painting demonstrate the ideals of humanism and the Renaissance?

· What are your personal thoughts on the painting?

Station 5

· Who is this person?

· What is your supporting evidence from the text?

· After reading the dialogue, what decision do you think the play character will make? Why?

· How does this play demonstrate the ideals of humanism and the Renaissance?

· What are your personal thoughts on the passage?