Changes

==Europe in the 14th century==The 14th century was in Italian Renaissance produced many ways a time of disaster andoutstanding artists, darkness. It was marked by terrible warswriters, famines and thinkers and one of course the Black Death, the most lethal pandemic, known in European history. However, despite these, and even as a result greatest figures of these disasters there were dramatic changes in European societies. There this era was an increase in long distance trade and urbanisation and feudal society began to break down in many areasFrancesco Petrarch (1304-1374). The Catholic Church He was dominanta great poet, and it influenced every aspect of life in Europe. Howeverphilosopher, it was corrupt and worldly and was riven by disputeswriter. This all The Italian was leading many to adopt have a more secular view of the world and to reconsider key beliefs such as profound impact on the imperfectability of humanity. The most advanced area of Europe at this time was Italy. It was a patch-work of city-states which had become centres of trade and industry. The peninsula was also heir poetry of the Roman Empire and the wealthy urban elite increasingly became interested Renaissance not only in the classical world. This led to dramatic cultural changes and new ways of looking at the world and novel ways of artistic expression, that soon spread beyond Italy by the 15th centurybut throughout Europe.

==The life and works He was also one of Petrarch==Francesco Petrarch (the pioneers in Italian Petrarca) was born in Arezzo in Northern Italythe ‘humanist’ movement which radically transformed the worldview of Europeans and their culture and society. His father was a lawyer and a member Moreover, the Italian can be said to have invented the concept of the minor nobility. He spent some of his early childhood in Renaissance, which he defined as a village near Florence and his family later moved return to Avignon in Southern France. His father followed classical values after the court ‘Dark Ages’ of the Pope who moved to Avignon to escape Medieval World.  ====Europe in the disorders and instability in Rome. Petrarch’s father obliged him to study law14th century====The 14th century was in many ways a time of disaster and, but he later abandoned itdarkness. It was marked by terrible wars, his first love was literature famines and during his school years he developed a life-long love of Latin and course the ancient world. The young Francesco entered Black Death, the church and took minor ordersmost lethal pandemic, known in European history. However, this meant that while he was a clericdespite these disasters, he there were dramatic changes in European societies. There was able to live an increase in long-distance trade and urbanization, and work feudal society began to break down in societymany areas. The young Italian Catholic Church was dominant, and it influenced every aspect of life in financial straitened circumstances after the death of his father Europe. However, it was corrupt and worldly and he began was riven by disputes. These problems lead many people to serve the powerful Cardinal Colonna. Petrarch was adopt a diplomat more secular worldview and he had to reconsider key beliefs such as the imperfectability of humanity.  The most advanced region of Europe at this time was Italy. It was a result a very cosmopolitan outlook, patchwork of city-states which had become centers of trade and industry. The peninsula was very rare in also the 14th centuryheir of the Roman Empire, and the wealthy urban elite increasingly became interested in the classical world. One day while attending mass in 1327 he saw a lady, These led to dramatic cultural changes and new ways of looking at mass, called Laura whom he fell in love with at first sight the world and she became his muse and inspired most novel forms of his greatest poetryartistic expression, that soon spread beyond Italy by the 15th century.  ====The life and works of During his travels on diplomatic missions he would write poetry in praise of LauraPetrarch====[[File: Petrarch 3. There are those who have argued that jpg|300px|thumb|left|The real-life Laura was fictional a poetic device, but most believe she Laura De Noves]]Francesco Petrarch (in Italian Petrarca) was a real historical figureborn in Arezzo in Northern Italy. She His father was probably the wife of a local count lawyer and died in 1348a member of the minor nobility. He became famous throughout Europe after the circulation spent some of his Epic early childhood in Latin, Africa, based on the life of a Roman general. In 1341 he was invited village near Florence and his family later moved to Rome and was crowned as Poet Laureate, only the second poet to be honoured Avignon in this way, since Southern France. His father followed the fall court of the Empire. <ref> Larner, John. Italy in Pope who moved to Avignon to escape the Age of Dante disorders and Petrarch, 1216-1380. Vol. 2 (Londoninstability in Rome.  Petrarch’s father obliged him to study law, Longman Publishing Groupbut he later abandoned it, 1980)his first love was literature, p 118</ref>. He also became friendly with many and during his school years he developed a life-long love of Latin and the greatest writers of his time, such as Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), the author of the Decameronancient world. The Italian was a great letter-writer 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 correspondence with the leading thinkers society. The young Italian was in financially straitened circumstances after the death of his time. Sometime in 1346 it seems that Petrarch had a spiritual crisis father, and he became more religious but he did not abandon his love of began to serve the classics powerful Cardinal Colonna.  Petrarch was a diplomat, and the classical world <ref>Larnerhe had a very cosmopolitan outlook, Vol I, p 201</ref>which was very rare in the 14th century. His fame continued to growOne day while attending mass in 1327 he saw a lady, at mass, and called Laura whom he was sent on more diplomatic mission by the Churchfell in love with at first sight, and she became his muse and inspired most of his greatest poetry. The Italian was an early supporter of Cola Rienzi who failed in a bid to resurrect the Roman Republic and restore popular government During his travels on diplomatic missions, he would write poetry in Romepraise of Laura. This made him very unpopular with some of 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 leading Church figures wife of the day a local count and possibly harmed his diplomatic careerdied in 1348. After 1350 he travelled less and began to dedicate himself more to poetry and he revised many Petrarch became famous throughout Europe after the circulation of his earlier lyricsEpic in Latin, Africa, especially those in Italian and he collected these in his famous Il Canzoniere (Song Book)based on the life of a Roman general. Despite taking orders  In 1341, he was invited to Rome and was crowned as a clericPoet Laureate, Petrarchonly the second poet to be honored in this way, fathered two children outside since the fall of marriage and he legitimized both of themthe Empire. <ref> Larner, a son and a daughterJohn. [https://www.amazon. He had a deep interest in education and became involved 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 a number the Age of polemics against those who championed the traditional approach to educationDante and Petrarch, which was largely influenced by the teachings of the Church <ref> Mazzotta, Giuseppe1216-1380. The worlds of PetrarchVol. No. 14 2] (North CarolinaLondon, Longman Publishing Group, Duke University Press, 19931980), p. 119118</ref>. In He also became friendly with many of the 1360s he settled in Florence and later Padua but had to move regularly because of outbreaks greatest writers of his time, such as Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), the author of the Black DeathDecameron. In 1367 he returned to Padua The Italian was a great letter-writer and remained there until was in correspondence with the leading thinkers of his death in 1374time. [[File: Sometime in 1346, it seems that Petrarch 3had a spiritual crisis and he became more religious.jpg|200px|thumb|left| The real-life Laura was Laura De Noves]]==His impact on But he did not abandon his love of the literature of classics and the Renaissance==classical world.<ref>Larner, Vol I, p 201</ref>  While Petrarch wrote in both Latin and Italian it is arguably his works His fame continued to grow, and especially his poetry in his native tongue that he was most influentialsent on the more diplomatic mission by the Church. Vernacular poetry had begun The Italian was an early supporter of Cola Rienzi who failed in a bid to flourish in resurrect the 13th Roman Republic and 14th century and the works restore popular government in Rome. This made him very unpopular with some of Dante and the Sicilian School are still considered to be masterpieces leading Church figures of European literature<ref> Burckhardtthe day and possibly harmed his diplomatic career. After 1350 he traveled less and began to dedicate himself more to poetry, Jacob. The Civilization and he revised many of the Renaissance his earlier lyrics, especially those in ItalyItalian, and he collected these in his famous Il Canzoniere (London, Penguin Books, 1990Song Book).  Despite taking orders, p 117</ref>. Dante one of the world’s greatest poets had actually been as a friend cleric, Petrarch, fathered two children outside of Petrarch’s father. The writer wasmarriage and he legitimized both of them, to have a major impact on the development of poetry in the Renaissanceson and a daughter. He is often credited as had a deep interest in education and became involved in some polemics against those who championed the traditional approach to education, which was largely influenced by the inventor teachings of the sonnetChurch.<ref> Mazzotta, one Giuseppe. The worlds of the most popular poetic forms in the western traditionPetrarch. No. This is a fourteen-line poem in the metre known as iambic pentameter14 (North Carolina, Duke University Press, 1993), p. 119. However, he really only perfected </ref>In the form 1360s he settled in Florence and he introduced innovations that allowed poets later Padua but had to use language in a very expressive way. Petrarch also developed new literary devices such as move regularly because of outbreaks of the extended metaphorBlack Death. He was not the first In 1367 he returned to write about love Padua and remained there until his death in a very romantic way and about an idealized beloved1374. However, his poems dedicated to his love  ====His impact on the literature of Laura were very influential popularized the writing of love poetry Renaissance====<dh-ad/>While Petrarch wrote in Italy both Latin and beyond. His use of sonnets to express Italian it is arguably his inner life works and emotions especially his poetry in his native tongue that was revolutionary and originalmost influential. This did much Vernacular poetry had begun to encourage poets to write flourish in a more personal the 13th and introspective style<ref> Kirkham14th century, Victoria and Armando Maggi. Petrarch: A Critical Guide the works of Dante and the Sicilian School are still considered to the Complete Worksbe masterpieces of European literature. (Chicago<ref> Burckhardt, University Jacob. The Civilization of Chicago Pressthe Renaissance in Italy, (London, Penguin Books, 20091990), p. 119117</ref>. Petrarch became Dante, one of the model for lyrical world’s greatest poets for many centuries. His sonnets, known as the Petrarchan Sonnet, were very popular in Elizabethan Englandwas a friend of Petrarch’s father. Shakespeare was clearly influenced by The writer had a major impact on the Italian and he developed his own style development of sonnet, known poetry in the Renaissance. Petrarch is often credited as the Shakespearian inventor of the sonnet, based on Petrarch’s verseone of the most popular poetic forms in the western tradition. The Italian wrote his poetry This is a fourteen-line poem in the Tuscan dialect, metre known as had Dante iambic pentameter. However,and this led it to become he really only perfected the standard form of literary expression and he introduced innovations that allowed poets to use language in the Italian Peninsula, which had many regional dialectsa very expressive way. The Italian was not only a great poet he  Petrarch also was a great prose writerdeveloped new literary devices such as the extended metaphor. He wrote was not the first autobiography since the classical era and this was to write about love in a landmark in the development of the genre very romantic way and encouraged more writers to compose their memoirs and life-storyabout an idealized beloved. His dialogues, lettersHowever, his poems dedicated to his love of Laura were very influential popularized the writing of love poetry in Italy and other works, in Latin inspired many imitators in the Renaissancebeyond. ==The First Humanist==Humanism His use of sonnets to express his inner life and emotions was a cultural movement that valued human qualitiesrevolutionary and original. This did much to encourage poets to write in a more personal and introspective style.<ref> Kirkham, such as reason Victoria and argued that this world had worth and value, which was contrary to Christian teachings and taught that human agency could improve society and give dignity and meaning 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 individual life<ref> NauertComplete Works]. (Chicago, Charles G. Humanism and the Culture University of Renaissance Europe: Second Edition. (Cambridge, Cambridge University Chicago Press, 20062009), p 115. 119</ref>.  Petrarch is often regarded as 's verse became the Father of Humanismmodel for lyrical poets for many centuries. This is because he helped to popularize His sonnets, known as the study of Petrarchan Sonnet, were very popular in Elizabethan England. Shakespeare was clearly influenced by the classical world Italian and literature. He personally rediscovered many manuscripts he developed his own style of sonnet, known as the Shakespearian sonnet, based on Petrarch’s verse. The Italian wrote his poetry in monasteries and the Tuscan dialect, as had Greek works translated to LatinDante , so that they could be more readily read and studied. Petrarch believed that this led it to become the study standard form of literary expression in the classics could enhance a personItalian Peninsula, intellectually and morally and this became axiomatic among humanistswhich had many regional dialects. The Italian in his works encouraged his readers to take an interest in nature and helped to formulate was not only a great poet he also was a new aesthetic, which did not regard great prose writer. He wrote the first autobiography since the world as classical era and this was a ‘vale landmark in the development of tears’ but as something that was beautiful the genre and could help a person encouraged more writers to develop spiritually <ref>Naubert, p. 18</ref>compose their memoirs and life-story. His famous ‘Letter on the ‘Ascent of Mont Ventoux’ is regarded as a landmark, which argued that a delight dialogues, letters, and other works, in Latin inspired many imitators in nature could be morally and spiritually uplifting<ref> Petrarch Epistolae familiares (IV, 1) </ref>the Renaissance. This is held by many  ====The First Humanist====[[File: Petrarch Two.jpg|300px|thumb|left| Mont Ventoux’ which inspired Petrarch to have initiated a move to the re-discovery write one of the most important documents of the world after the Middle Ages and its focus on the life to come, which Renaissance]]Humanism was a characteristic of the humanists. This ultimately led to the rational examination of the world cultural movement that valued human qualities, such as reason and argued that this world had dramatic consequences in the fields as diverse as science, politics worth and philosophy. Moreovermeaning, the poet in his writings which was very much interested in the interior life of a person contrary to Christian teachings. It taught that human agency could improve society and give dignity and suggested that everyone had a rich inner freedom to individual life.<ref> Nauert, a key tenet of humanismCharles G. He held that the individual was important, Humanism and this was radical for the time <ref>. Bishop, Morris Petrarch and His WorldCulture of Renaissance Europe: Second Edition. (BloomingtonCambridge, Indiana. Indiana Cambridge University Press 1963, 2006), p 118115</ref> However, Petrarch was conflicted, he was a very religious man and yet is often regarded as the Father of Humanism because he admired helped to popularize the study of the pagan classical worldand literature. He was ultimately able to resolve this by arguing rediscovered many manuscripts in monasteries and had Greek works translated to Latin, so that the classical and pagan world they could help a person to become be more moral readily read and to achieve salvationstudied. This did much to ensure  Petrarch believed that humanism and its love the study of the classical past was acceptable in an Italy classics could enhance a person, intellectually and morally and Europe that was still staunchly Christian <ref>Bishopthis became axiomatic among humanists. p. 201</ref>. [[File: Petrarch Two.jpg|200px|thumb|left| Mont Ventoux’ which inspired Petrarch He encouraged his readers to take an interest in nature and helped to write one of formulate a new aesthetic, which did not regard the most important documents world as a ‘vale of the Renaissance]]==Inventing the Renaissance==In some waystears’ but as something that was beautiful and could help a person to develop spiritually.<ref>Naubert, the poet was not only one p. 18.</ref> His famous ‘Letter on the ‘Ascent of the most important figures in the RenaissanceMont Ventoux’ is regarded as a landmark, in a sense he invented itwhich argued that delight in nature could be morally and spiritually uplifting. The Renaissance is widely seen as a period of ‘re-birth’ when Europe rediscovered classical values and in the process used the ancient past<ref> Petrarch Epistolae familiares (IV, for models which ultimately led to the development of more modern ways of thought <ref>Bishop, p. 2131) </ref>.  Petrarch was initiated the first move to recognize that the study re-discovery of the past by world after the Middle Ages and its focus on the humanists life to come, which was a new period in history and one that would revive characteristic of the humanists. This ultimately led to the glory rational examination of Rome the world, and Greece. He portrayed it as distinct from previous centuries which he described as ignorant and a ‘Dark Age’ . This was not strictly true because learning this had dramatic consequences in Europe had been growing since the 12th centuryfields as diverse as science, politics, and philosophy. IndeedMoreover, many have argued that the Renaissance poet in Italy and elsewhere were a direct result of trends his writings was very much interested in the Middle Ages. Petrarch’s conception interior life of the Renaissance as something distinct from the Medieval world has been profoundly influential a person and it remains so to this day<ref> Burckhardtsuggested that everyone had a rich inner life, Jacoba key tenet of humanism. The Civilization of He held that the Renaissance in Italyindividual 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> ====Inventing the Renaissance====

====Conclusion====Petrarch was undoubtedly one of the most significant influences on the Renaissance not only in Italy but throughout Europe. His poetry was to inspire other poets in the period and later, to examine their interior life and emotions and to celebrate the natural world and to see love as something spiritual. His literary forms such as the sonnet and autobiography persuaded many writers to adopt a more personal style. Petrarch was also if not the ‘Father of Humanism’ certainly one of its leading lights. For example, his works and scholarship did, much to encourage an appreciation of Graeco-Roman civilization and this was radical as it helped to counter the stifling influence of the Church and Papacy. His writings and philosophy promoted a more secular and rational worldview and promoted a greater awareness of the importance of the individual. This had important repercussion and encouraged a belief that this world was important and not just salvation. This encouraged a rediscovery of not only the ancient world but a growing investigation of the world and society that led to a more modern outlook and one that was not wholly influenced by Christianity. ==Further Reading==Petrarch. F. My Secret Book, (Secretum), translated by Nicholas Mann. Harvard University Press.

====Further Reading====Petrarch, . F. Canzoniere<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 Anthony Mortimer (London: Penguin, 2002)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). Minta, Stephen. <i>Petrarch and Petrarchism: the English and French Traditions </i> (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1980).

{{MediaWiki:AmNative}} ====References====<references/> {{Contributors}} [[Category:European History]] [[Category:Italian History]] [[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:Renaissance History]]