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The Italian Renaissance produced many outstanding artists, writers, and thinkers and one of the greatest figures of this era was Francesco Petrarch Petrarcha (1304-1374). He was a great poet, philosopher, and writer. The Italian was to have a profound profoundly impact on the Renaissance's poetry of the Renaissance , not only in Italy but throughout Europe. He was also one of the pioneers in the ‘humanist’ movement which radically transformed the worldview of Europeans and their culture and society. Moreover, the Italian can be said to have invented the concept of the Renaissance, which he defined as a return to classical values after the ‘Dark Ages’ of the Medieval World.

====Europe in the 14th century====The 14th century He was in many ways a time also one of disaster and, darkness. It was marked by terrible wars, famines and of course the Black Death, pioneers in the most lethal pandemic, known in European history. However, despite these disasters‘humanist’ movement, there were dramatic changes in European societies. There was an increase in long-distance trade which radically transformed Europeans' worldviews and urbanization, culture and feudal society began to break down in many areas. The Catholic Church was dominantMoreover, and it influenced every aspect of life in Europe. Howeverthe Italian can be said to have invented the Renaissance concept, it was corrupt and worldly and was riven by disputes. These problems lead many people to adopt which he defined as a more secular worldview and return to reconsider key beliefs such as classical values after the imperfectability ‘Dark Ages’ of humanitythe Medieval World.

==What was Europe like in the 14th century? ==The most advanced region of Europe at this time was Italy. It 14th century was , in many ways, a patchwork time of city-states which had become centers of trade disaster and industrydarkness. The peninsula It was also the heir marked by terrible wars, famines, and of course, the Roman EmpireBlack Death, and the wealthy urban elite increasingly became interested most lethal pandemic known in the classical worldEuropean history. These led to However, despite these disasters, there were dramatic cultural changes in European societies. There was an increase in long-distance trade and new ways of looking at the world urbanization, and feudal society began to break down in many areas. The Catholic Church was dominant, and novel forms it influenced every aspect of artistic expressionlife in Europe. However, that soon spread beyond Italy it was corrupt and worldly and was riven by the 15th centurydisputes. These problems lead many people to adopt a more secular worldview and reconsider key beliefs such as humanity's imperfectability.

====The life most advanced region of Europe at this time was Italy. It was a patchwork of city-states that had become centers of trade and industry. The peninsula was also the heir of the Roman Empire, and the wealthy urban elite increasingly became interested in the classical world. These led to dramatic cultural changes and works new ways of Petrarchlooking at the world, and novel forms of artistic expression that soon spread beyond Italy by the 15th century. ==How did Petrarch become a famous author? ==

Francesco Petrarch (in Italian Petrarca) was born in Arezzo in Northern Italy. His father was a lawyer and a member of the minor nobility. He spent some of his early childhood in a village near Florence , and his family later moved to Avignon in Southern France. His father followed the Pope's court of the Pope , who moved to Avignon to escape the Rome's disorders and instability .  Petrarch’s father obliged him to study law, but he later abandoned it, his first love was literature, and during his school years, he developed a life-long love of Latin and the ancient world. The young Francesco entered the church and took minor orders. This meant that while he was a cleric, he was able to live and work in society. The young Italian was in financially straitened circumstances after his father's death, and he began to serve the powerful Cardinal Colonna.  Petrarch was a diplomat, and he had a very cosmopolitan outlook, which was very rare in the 14th century. One day while attending mass in 1327, he saw a lady at mass called Laura, whom he fell in love with at first sight, and she became his muse and inspired most of his greatest poetry. During his travels on diplomatic missions, he would write poetry in praise of Laura. Some have argued that Laura was fictional, a poetic device, but most believe she was a real historical figure. She was probably the wife of a local count and died in 1348. Petrarch became famous throughout Europe after the circulation of his Epic in Latin, Africa, based on a Roman general's life.  In 1341, he was invited to Romeand was crowned as Poet Laureate, only the second poet to be honored in this way since the fall of the Empire. <ref> Larner, John. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0582491495/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0582491495&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=58bcbc87c3d5373957814ad9e0794770 Italy in the Age of Dante and Petrarch, 1216-1380. Vol. 2] (London, Longman Publishing Group, 1980), p 118</ref> He also became friendly with many of the greatest writers of his time, such as Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), the author of the Decameron. The Italian was a great letter-writer and was in correspondence with the leading thinkers of his time. Sometime in 1346, it seems that Petrarch had a spiritual crisis, and he became more religious. But he did not abandon his love of the classics and the classical world. <ref>Larner, Vol I, p 201</ref>

Petrarch’s father obliged him His fame continued to study lawgrow, but and he later abandoned it, his first love was literaturesent on a more diplomatic mission by the Church. The Italian was an early supporter of Cola Rienzi, who failed to resurrect the Roman Republic and during his school years he developed restore a life-long love popular government in Rome. This made him very unpopular with some of Latin and the ancient world. The young Francesco entered leading Church figures of the church day and took minor orderspossibly harmed his diplomatic career. This meant that while After 1350 he was a cleric, he was able traveled less and began to dedicate himself more to live and work in societypoetry. The young Italian was in financially straitened circumstances after the death He revised many of his fatherearlier lyrics, especially Italian, and he began to serve the powerful Cardinal Colonnacollected these in his famous Il Canzoniere (Song Book).

Despite taking orders, as a cleric, Petrarch was , fathered two children outside of marriage and legitimized both a diplomat, son and he a daughter. He had a very cosmopolitan outlookdeep interest in education and became involved in some polemics against those who championed the traditional approach to education, which was very rare in largely influenced by the 14th centuryChurch's teachings. One day while attending mass in 1327 he saw a lady<ref> Mazzotta, Giuseppe. The worlds of Petrarch. No. 14 (North Carolina, at massDuke University Press, called Laura whom he fell in love with at first sight1993), and she became his muse and inspired most of his greatest poetryp. 119. During his travels on diplomatic missions</ref>In the 1360s, he would write poetry settled in praise Florence and later Padua but had to move regularly because of outbreaks of Laurathe Black Death. There are those who have argued that Laura was fictional a poetic device, but most believe she was a real historical figure. She was probably the wife of a local count In 1367 he returned to Padua and remained there until he died in 13481374. Petrarch became famous throughout Europe after the circulation of his Epic in Latin, Africa, based on the life of a Roman general.

In 1341, he == What was invited to Rome Petrarch's impact on Renaissance literature? ==<dh-ad/>While Petrarch wrote in both Latin and Italian, it is arguably his works, especially his poetry in his native tongue, that was crowned as Poet Laureate, only the second poet most influential. Vernacular poetry had begun to be honored flourish in this waythe 13th and 14th centuries, since and the fall works of Dante and the EmpireSicilian School are still considered masterpieces of European literature. <ref> LarnerBurckhardt, JohnJacob. The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy in the Age of Dante and Petrarch, 1216-1380. Vol. 2 (London, Longman Publishing GroupPenguin Books, 19801990), p 118117</ref>. He also became friendly with many Dante, one of the world’s greatest writers poets, was a friend of Petrarch’s father. The writer had a major impact on the development of his time, such poetry in the Renaissance. Petrarch is often credited as Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375)the sonnet's inventor, one of the author of most popular poetic forms in the Decameronwestern tradition. The Italian was This is a great letterfourteen-writer and was line poem in correspondence with the leading thinkers of his timemeter known as iambic pentameter. Sometime in 1346However, it seems that Petrarch had a spiritual crisis and he became more religious. But he did not abandon his love of really only perfected the classics form, and the classical worldhe introduced innovations that allowed poets to use language in a very expressive way.<ref>Larner, Vol I, p 201</ref>

His fame continued to grow, and he was sent on the more diplomatic mission by Petrarch also developed new literary devices such as the Churchextended metaphor. The Italian He was an early supporter of Cola Rienzi who failed not the first to write about love in a bid to resurrect the Roman Republic very romantic way and restore popular government in Romeabout an idealized beloved. This made him However, his poems dedicated to his love of Laura were very unpopular with some of influential popularized the leading Church figures writing of the day love poetry in Italy and possibly harmed beyond. His use of sonnets to express his diplomatic careerinner life and emotions was revolutionary and original. After 1350 he traveled less and began This did much to encourage poets to dedicate himself write in a more to poetry, personal and he revised many of his earlier lyricsintrospective style.<ref> Kirkham, especially those in ItalianVictoria, and he collected these in his famous Il Canzoniere Armando Maggi. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0226437426/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0226437426&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d4399bf8121c44314571579562bd2c77 Petrarch: A Critical Guide to the Complete Works]. (Song BookChicago, University of Chicago Press, 2009), p. 119</ref>

Despite taking ordersPetrarch's verse became the model for lyrical poets for many centuries. His sonnets, known as a clericthe Petrarchan Sonnet, Petrarchwere very popular in Elizabethan England. The Italian clearly influenced Shakespeare, fathered two children outside of marriage and he legitimized both developed his own style of themthe sonnet, known as the Shakespearian sonnet, a son and a daughterbased on Petrarch’s verse. He had a deep interest The Italian wrote his poetry in education and became involved in some polemics against those who championed the traditional approach Tuscan dialect, as had Dante. This led it to education, which was largely influenced by become the teachings standard form of literary expression in the Church.<ref> MazzottaItalian Peninsula, Giuseppewhich had many regional dialects. The worlds of PetrarchItalian was not only a great poet; he also was a great prose writer. No. 14 (North CarolinaHe wrote the first autobiography since the classical era, Duke University Press, 1993), p. 119.</ref>In and this was a landmark in the development of the 1360s he settled in Florence genre and later Padua but had encouraged more writers to move regularly because of outbreaks of the Black Deathcompose their memoirs and life-story. In 1367 he returned to Padua His dialogues, letters, and remained there until his death other works, in Latin, inspired many imitators in 1374the Renaissance.

====His impact on Was Petrarch the literature of the Renaissance==First Humanist? ==While [[File: Petrarch wrote in both Latin and Italian it is arguably his works and especially his poetry in his native tongue that was most influentialTwo. Vernacular poetry had begun jpg|300px|thumb|left| Mont Ventoux’ which inspired Petrarch to flourish in the 13th and 14th century and the works write one of Dante and the Sicilian School are still considered to be masterpieces of European literature<ref> Burckhardt, Jacob. The Civilization most important documents of the Renaissance in Italy, (London, Penguin Books, 1990), p 117</ref>. Dante one of the world’s greatest poets had actually been a friend of Petrarch’s father. The writer ]]Humanism was, to have a major impact on the development of poetry in the Renaissance. Petrarch is often credited as the inventor of the sonnetcultural movement that valued human qualities, one of the most popular poetic forms in the western tradition. This is a fourteen-line poem in the metre known such as iambic pentameter. Howeverreason, he really only perfected the form and he introduced innovations argued that allowed poets this world had worth and meaning, contrary to use language in a very expressive wayChristian teachings. Petrarch also developed new literary devices such as the extended metaphor. He was not the first to write about love in a very romantic way It taught that human agency could improve society and about an idealized beloved. However, his poems dedicated to his love of Laura were very influential popularized the writing of love poetry in Italy give dignity and beyond. His use of sonnets freedom to express his inner individual life and emotions was revolutionary and original. This did much to encourage poets to write in a more personal and introspective style<ref> KirkhamNauert, Victoria Charles G. Humanism and Armando Maggi. Petrarchthe Culture of Renaissance Europe: A Critical Guide to the Complete WorksSecond Edition. (ChicagoCambridge, Cambridge University of Chicago Press, 20092006), p. 119115</ref>. Petrarch's verse became the model for lyrical poets for many centuries. His sonnets, known is often regarded as the Petrarchan Sonnet, were very popular in Elizabethan England. Shakespeare was clearly influenced by the Italian and Father of Humanism because he developed his own style of sonnet, known as helped popularize the Shakespearian sonnet, based on Petrarch’s verse. The Italian wrote his poetry in the Tuscan dialect, as had Dante ,classical world and this led it to become the standard form of literary expression in the Italian Peninsula, which had many regional dialects. The Italian was not only a great poet he also was a great prose writerliterature study. He wrote the first autobiography since the classical era and this was a landmark rediscovered many manuscripts in the development of the genre monasteries and encouraged had Greek works translated to Latin so that they could be more writers to compose their memoirs readily read and life-story. His dialogues, letters, and other works, in Latin inspired many imitators in the Renaissancestudied.

====The First Humanist====Humanism was a cultural movement that valued human qualities, such as reason and argued that this world had worth and meaning, which was contrary to Christian teachings. It taught that human agency could improve society and give dignity and freedom to the individual life<ref> Nauert, Charles G. Humanism and the Culture of Renaissance Europe: Second Edition. (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006), p 115</ref>. Petrarch is often regarded as the Father of Humanism. This is because he helped to popularize the study of the classical world and literature. He personally rediscovered many manuscripts in monasteries and had Greek works translated to Latin, so that they could be more readily read and studied. Petrarch believed that the study of the classics could enhance a person, intellectually and morally and this , which became axiomatic among humanists. The Italian in his works He encouraged his readers to take an interest in nature and helped to formulate a new aesthetic, which did not regard the world as a ‘vale of tears’ but as something that was beautiful and could help a person to develop spiritually .<ref>Naubert, p. 18.</ref>. His famous ‘Letter on the ‘Ascent of Mont Ventoux’ is regarded as a landmark, which argued that a delight in nature could be morally and spiritually uplifting.<ref> Petrarch Epistolae familiares (IV, 1) </ref>. This is held by many to have initiated a move to the re-discovery of the world after the Middle Ages and its focus on the life to come, which was a characteristic of the humanists. This ultimately led to the rational examination of the world and this had dramatic consequences in the fields as diverse as science, politics and philosophy. Moreover, the poet in his writings was very much interested in the interior life of a person and suggested that everyone had a rich inner life, a key tenet of humanism. He held that the individual was important, and this was radical for the time <ref>. Bishop, Morris Petrarch and His World. (Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University Press 1963), p 118</ref> However, Petrarch was conflicted, he was a very religious man and yet he admired the pagan classical world. He was ultimately able to resolve this by arguing that the classical and pagan world could help a person to become more moral and to achieve salvation. This did much to ensure that humanism and its love of the classical past was acceptable in an Italy and Europe that was still staunchly Christian <ref>Bishop. p. 201</ref>. [[File: Petrarch Two.jpg|200px|thumb|left| Mont Ventoux’ which inspired Petrarch to write one of the most important documents of the Renaissance]]

====Inventing Petrarch initiated the move to the world's re-discovery after the Middle Ages and its focus on the Renaissance====In some wayslife to come, the poet which was not only one a characteristic of the most important figures humanists. This ultimately led to the world's rational examination, which had dramatic consequences in fields as diverse as science, politics, and philosophy. Moreover, the Renaissance, poet in his writings was very interested in a sense he invented it. The Renaissance is widely seen as person's interior life and suggested that everyone had a rich inner life, a period key tenet of ‘re-birth’ when Europe rediscovered classical values and in humanism. He held that the process used the ancient pastindividual was important, and this was radical for models which ultimately led to the development of more modern ways of thought time. <ref>Bishop, Morris Petrarch, and His World. (Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University Press 1963), p. 213118</ref>. However, Petrarch was conflicted, he was a very religious man, yet he admired the first pagan classical world. He was ultimately able to recognize that the study of the past resolve this by the humanists was a new period in history and one arguing that would revive the glory of Rome classical and Greece. He portrayed it as distinct from previous centuries which he described as ignorant pagan world could help a person become more moral and a ‘Dark Age’ achieve salvation. This was not strictly true because learning in Europe had been growing since the 12th century. Indeed, many have argued did much to ensure that humanism and its love of the Renaissance classical past were acceptable in an Italy and elsewhere were a direct result of trends in the Middle AgesEurope that was still staunchly Christian. Petrarch’s conception of the Renaissance as something distinct from the Medieval world has been profoundly influential and it remains so to this day<ref> Burckhardt, JacobBishop. p. The Civilization of 201</ref> == Did Petrarch Invent the Renaissance in Italy. ? ==

Petrarch. F. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0674003462/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0674003462&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8d4d4d3b70930d2aa653d7f7ecdc7f34 My Secret Book]</i>, (Secretum), translated by Nicholas Mann. Harvard University Press.

Petrarch, F. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RI8ZR8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002RI8ZR8&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4bee49c555d5352c5fcc100a5b77bf78 Canzoniere]</i>, translated by Anthony Mortimer (London: Penguin, 2002).

Giustiniani, Vito "Homo, Humanus, and the Meanings of Humanism.". Journal of the History of Ideas 46 (1985), pp 167 – 95

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