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==Europe in He was also one of the 14th century==The 14th century was pioneers in many ways a time of disaster and, darkness. It was marked by terrible wars, famines and of course the Black Death, ‘humanist’ movement which radically transformed the most lethal pandemic, known in European history. However, despite tthese disasters there were dramatic changes in European societies. There was an increase in long distance trade worldview of Europeans and urbanisation their culture and feudal society began to break down in many areas. The Catholic Church was dominant, and it influenced every aspect of life in Europe. HoweverMoreover, it was corrupt and worldly and was riven by disputes. This all was leading many the Italian can be said to adopt a more secular view have invented the concept of the world and to reconsider key beliefs such Renaissance, which he defined as 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 of the Roman Empire and the wealthy urban elite increasingly became interested in the return to classical world. This led to dramatic cultural changes and new ways of looking at values after the world and novel ways ‘Dark Ages’ of artistic expression, that soon spread beyond Italy by the 15th centuryMedieval World.

==The life and works of Petrarch==Europe in the 14th century====Francesco Petrarch (in Italian Petrarca) The 14th century was born in Arezzo in Northern Italymany ways a time of disaster and, darkness. His father It was a lawyer marked by terrible wars, famines and a member of course the Black Death, the minor nobilitymost lethal pandemic, known in European history. He spent some of his early childhood However, despite these disasters, there were dramatic changes in European societies. There was an increase in a village near Florence long-distance trade and his family later moved to Avignon urbanization, and feudal society began to break down in Southern Francemany areas. His father followed the court The Catholic Church was dominant, and it influenced every aspect of the Pope who moved to Avignon to escape the disorders and instability in Romelife in Europe. Petrarch’s father obliged him to study lawHowever, but he later abandoned it, his first love was literature corrupt and worldly and during his school years he developed was riven by disputes. These problems lead many people to adopt a life-long love of Latin more secular worldview and to reconsider key beliefs such as the ancient worldimperfectability of humanity.  The young Francesco entered the church and took minor orders, most advanced region of Europe at this meant that while he time was Italy. It was a cleric, he was able to live patchwork of city-states which had become centers of trade and work in societyindustry. The young Italian peninsula was in financial straitened circumstances after also the death heir of his father the Roman Empire, and he began to serve the powerful Cardinal Colonnawealthy urban elite increasingly became interested in the classical world. Petrarch was a diplomat These led to dramatic cultural changes and new ways of looking at the world and he had as a result a very cosmopolitan outlooknovel forms of artistic expression, which was very rare in the 14th that soon spread beyond Italy by the 15th century. One day while attending mass in 1327 he saw a lady, at mass, called  ====The life and works of Petrarch====[[File: Petrarch 3.jpg|300px|thumb|left|The real-life Laura whom he fell was Laura De Noves]]Francesco Petrarch (in Italian Petrarca) was born in Arezzo in love with at first sight and she became his muse Northern Italy. His father was a lawyer and inspired most a member of his greatest poetrythe minor nobility. During He spent some of his travels on diplomatic missions he would write poetry early childhood in a village near Florence and his family later moved to Avignon in praise Southern France. His father followed the court of Laura. 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 Pope who moved to Avignon to escape the disorders and died instability in 1348Rome. He became famous throughout Europe after the circulation of  Petrarch’s father obliged him to study law, but he later abandoned it, his Epic in Latinfirst love was literature, Africa, based on the and during his school years he developed a life -long love of a Roman generalLatin and the ancient world. The young Francesco entered the church and took minor orders. In 1341 This meant that while he was invited to Rome and a cleric, he was crowned as Poet Laureate, only the second poet able to be honoured live and work in this way, since the fall of the Empiresociety. <ref> Larner, John. Italy The young Italian was in financially straitened circumstances after the Age death of Dante his father, and he began to serve the powerful Cardinal Colonna.  Petrarchwas a diplomat, 1216-1380and he had a very cosmopolitan outlook, which was very rare in the 14th century. Vol. 2 (London, Longman Publishing GroupOne day while attending mass in 1327 he saw a lady, 1980)at mass, p 118</ref>. He also called Laura whom he fell in love with at first sight, and she became friendly with many his muse and inspired most of the his greatest writers of poetry. During his time, such as Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375)travels on diplomatic missions, the author he would write poetry in praise of the DecameronLaura. The Italian was a great letter-writer and There are those who have argued that Laura was in correspondence with the leading thinkers of his time. Sometime in 1346 it seems that Petrarch had fictional a spiritual crisis and he became more religious poetic device, but he did not abandon his love most believe she was a real historical figure. She was probably the wife of the classics a local count and died in 1348. Petrarch became famous throughout Europe after the classical world <ref>Larnercirculation of his Epic in Latin, Vol IAfrica, p 201</ref>based on the life of a Roman general. His fame continued to grow  In 1341, and he was sent on more diplomatic mission by invited to Rome and was crowned as Poet Laureate, only the Church. The Italian was an early supporter of Cola Rienzi who failed second poet to be honored in a bid to resurrect this way, since the Roman Republic and restore popular government in Rome. This made him very unpopular with some fall of the leading Church figures of the day and possibly harmed his diplomatic careerEmpire. <ref> Larner, John. [https://www.amazon. After 1350 he travelled less and began to dedicate himself more to poetry 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 he revised many of his earlier lyricsPetrarch, especially those in Italian and he collected these in his famous Il Canzoniere 1216-1380. Vol. 2] (Song Book). Despite taking ordersLondon, as a clericLongman Publishing Group, Petrarch1980), fathered two children outside p 118</ref> He also became friendly with many of marriage and he legitimized both the greatest writers of themhis time, such as Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), the author of the Decameron. The Italian was a son great letter-writer and a daughterwas in correspondence with the leading thinkers of his time. He Sometime in 1346, it seems that Petrarch had a deep interest in education spiritual crisis and he became involved in a number more religious. But he did not abandon his love of polemics against those who championed the traditional approach to education, which was largely influenced by classics and the teachings of the Church classical world.<ref> MazzottaLarner, Giuseppe. The worlds of Petrarch. No. 14 (North Carolina, Duke University Press, 1993)Vol I, p. 119201</ref>. In  His fame continued to grow, and he was sent on the 1360s he settled in Florence and later Padua but had to move regularly because of outbreaks of more diplomatic mission by the Black DeathChurch. In 1367 he returned The Italian was an early supporter of Cola Rienzi who failed in a bid to Padua resurrect the Roman Republic and remained there until his death restore popular government in 1374Rome. [[File: Petrarch 3.jpg|200px|thumb|left| The real-life Laura was Laura De Noves]]==His impact on the literature This made him very unpopular with some of the leading Church figures of the Renaissance==While Petrarch wrote in both Latin day and Italian it is arguably possibly harmed his works diplomatic career. After 1350 he traveled less and especially his poetry in his native tongue that was most influential. Vernacular began to dedicate himself more to poetry had begun to flourish in the 13th , and 14th century and the works he revised many of Dante and the Sicilian School are still considered to be masterpieces of European literature<ref> Burckhardthis earlier lyrics, Jacob. The Civilization of the Renaissance especially those in ItalyItalian, and he collected these in his famous Il Canzoniere (LondonSong Book).  Despite taking orders, Penguin Booksas a cleric, 1990)Petrarch, p 117</ref>. Dante one fathered two children outside of the world’s greatest poets had actually been a friend marriage and he legitimized both of Petrarch’s father. The writer wasthem, to have a major impact on the development of poetry in the Renaissanceson and a daughter. He is often credited as the inventor of had a deep interest in education and became involved in some polemics against those who championed the sonnettraditional approach to education, one which was largely influenced by the teachings of the most popular poetic forms in the western traditionChurch.<ref> Mazzotta, Giuseppe. The worlds of Petrarch. This is a fourteen-line poem in the metre known as iambic pentameterNo. However14 (North Carolina, Duke University Press, he really only perfected 1993), p. 119.</ref>In the form and 1360s he introduced innovations that allowed poets settled in Florence and later Padua but had to use language in a very expressive waymove regularly because of outbreaks of the Black Death. Petrarch also developed new literary devices such as the extended metaphor. He was not the first In 1367 he returned to write about love in a very romantic way Padua and about an idealized belovedremained there until his death in 1374. However, his poems dedicated to his love  ====His impact on the literature of Laura were very influential popularized the writing of love poetry the 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 to the Complete Works. (Chicago, University works of Dante and the Sicilian School are still considered to be masterpieces of Chicago Press, 2009), pEuropean literature. 119</ref>Burckhardt, Jacob. Petrarch became The Civilization of the model for lyrical poets for many centuries. His sonnetsRenaissance in Italy, known as the Petrarchan Sonnet(London, were very popular in Elizabethan England. Shakespeare was clearly influenced by the Italian and he developed his own style of sonnetPenguin Books, known as the Shakespearian sonnet1990), based on p 117</ref> Dante, one of the world’s greatest poets, was a friend of Petrarch’s versefather. The Italian wrote his poetry in writer had a major impact on the Tuscan dialect, as had Dante ,and this led it to become the standard form development of literary expression poetry in the Italian PeninsulaRenaissance. Petrarch is often credited as the inventor of the sonnet, which had many regional dialectsone of the most popular poetic forms in the western tradition. The Italian was not only This is a great poet fourteen-line poem in the metre known as iambic pentameter. However, he also was a great prose writer. He wrote really only perfected the first autobiography since the classical era form and this was he introduced innovations that allowed poets to use language in a landmark in the development of the genre and encouraged more writers very expressive way.  Petrarch also developed new literary devices such as the extended metaphor. He was not the first to compose their memoirs and life-story. His dialogues, letters, write about love in a very romantic way and other worksabout an idealized beloved. However, in Latin inspired many imitators in the Renaissancehis poems dedicated to his love of Laura were very influential popularized the writing of love poetry in Italy and beyond. ==The First Humanist==Humanism His use of sonnets to express his inner life and emotions was a cultural movement that valued human qualities, such as reason revolutionary and argued that this world had worth original. This did much to encourage poets to write in a more personal and valueintrospective style.<ref> Kirkham, which was contrary to Christian teachings Victoria and taught that human agency could improve society and give dignity and meaning to the individual life<ref> Nauert, Charles GArmando Maggi. Humanism and the Culture of Renaissance Europe[https: Second Edition//www.amazon. (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006), p 115<com/gp/product/0226437426/ref>. Petrarch is often regarded as =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0226437426&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d4399bf8121c44314571579562bd2c77 Petrarch: A Critical Guide to the Father Complete Works]. (Chicago, University of HumanismChicago Press, 2009), p. This is because he helped to popularize 119</ref>  Petrarch's verse became the study of the classical world and literaturemodel for lyrical poets for many centuries. He personally rediscovered many manuscripts His sonnets, known as the Petrarchan Sonnet, were very popular in monasteries Elizabethan England. Shakespeare was clearly influenced by the Italian and had Greek works translated to Latinhe developed his own style of sonnet, so that they could be more readily read and studied. Petrarch believed that known as the study of the classics could enhance a person, intellectually and morally and this became axiomatic among humanistsShakespearian sonnet, based on Petrarch’s verse. The Italian wrote his poetry in his works encouraged his readers to take an interest in nature the Tuscan dialect, as had Dante ,and helped this led it to formulate a new aesthetic, which did not regard become the world as a ‘vale standard form of tears’ but as something that literary expression in the Italian Peninsula, which had many regional dialects. The Italian was beautiful and could help not only a person to develop spiritually <ref>Naubert, pgreat poet he also was a great prose writer. 18</ref>. His famous ‘Letter on He wrote the ‘Ascent of Mont Ventoux’ is regarded as first autobiography since the classical era and this was a landmark, which argued that a delight in nature could be morally the development of the genre and encouraged more writers to compose their memoirs and spiritually uplifting<ref> Petrarch Epistolae familiares (IVlife-story. His dialogues, 1) </ref>. This is held by letters, and other works, in Latin inspired many to have initiated a move to imitators in the re-discovery of the world after the Middle Ages and its focus on the life to come, Renaissance. ====The First Humanist====[[File: Petrarch Two.jpg|300px|thumb|left| Mont Ventoux’ which was a characteristic inspired Petrarch to write one of the humanists. This ultimately led to most important documents of the rational examination of the world Renaissance]]Humanism was a 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 World. Culture of Renaissance Europe: Second Edition. (BloomingtonCambridge, Indiana. Indiana Cambridge University Press 1963, 2006), p 118115</ref> However, Petrarch was conflicted, is often regarded as the Father of Humanism because he was a very religious man and yet he admired helped to popularize the study of the pagan classical worldand literature. He was ultimately able rediscovered many manuscripts in monasteries and had Greek works translated to resolve this by arguing 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 this had dramatic consequences in the fields as distinct from previous centuries which he described diverse as ignorant science, politics, and a ‘Dark Age’ philosophy. This Moreover, the poet in his writings was not strictly true because learning very much interested in Europe had been growing since the 12th century. Indeed, many have argued interior life of a person and suggested that the Renaissance in Italy and elsewhere were everyone had a rich inner life, a direct result key tenet of trends in the Middle Ageshumanism. Petrarch’s conception of He held that the Renaissance as something distinct from the Medieval world has been profoundly influential individual was important, and it remains so to this daywas radical for the time. <ref> BurckhardtBishop, Jacob. The Civilization of the Renaissance in ItalyMorris 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 This was undoubtedly one of the most significant influences on the Renaissance not only strictly true because learning in Italy but throughout Europehad been growing since the 12th century. His poetry was to inspire other poets in the period and laterIndeed, 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 have argued that 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 Renaissance in Italy and this was radical as it helped to counter the stifling influence of the Church and Papacy. His writings and philosophy promoted elsewhere were a more secular and rational worldview and promoted a greater awareness of the importance direct result of trends in the individualMiddle Ages. This had important repercussion and encouraged a belief that this world was important and not just salvation. This encouraged a rediscovery Petrarch’s conception of not only the ancient world but a growing investigation of Renaissance as something distinct from the Medieval world has been profoundly influential, and society that led it remains so to a more modern outlook and one that was not wholly influenced by Christianity. ==Further Reading==Petrarch. F. My Secret Book, (Secretum)this day<ref> Burckhardt, translated by Nicholas MannJacob. Harvard University PressThe Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy.

====Conclusion====Petrarchwas 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, Fto 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. Canzoniere For example, translated 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 Anthony Mortimer (London: Penguin, 2002)Christianity.

====Further Reading====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). 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]]