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==Introduction==The Italian Renaissance produced many outstanding artists, writers, and thinkers and one of the greatest figures of this era was Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374). He was a great poet, philosopher and writer. The Italian was to have a profound impact on the 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. __NOTOC__
==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‘humanist’ movement, known in European history. However, despite these, and even as a result of these disasters there were dramatic changes in European societies. There was an increase in long distance trade which radically transformed Europeans' worldviews and urbanisation 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. However, 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 of have invented the world and to reconsider key beliefs such Renaissance concept, 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.
==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 laterGiustiniani, 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. Vito For example"Homo, his works and scholarship didHumanus, 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 Meanings of the individualHumanism. This had important repercussion and encouraged a belief that this world was important and not just salvation. This encouraged a rediscovery " Journal of not only the ancient world but a growing investigation History 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, Ideas 46 (Secretum1985), translated by Nicholas Mann. Harvard University Press.pp 167 – 95
Petrarch, F. Canzoniere, translated by Anthony Mortimer (London: Penguin, 2002).====References====<references/>
Minta, Stephen. Petrarch and Petrarchism: the English and French Traditions (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1980).{{Contributors}}
Giustiniani, Vito "Homo, Humanus, and the Meanings of Humanism". Journal of the [[Category:European History of Ideas 46 (1985), pp 167 – 95]] [[Category:Italian History]] [[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:Renaissance History]]
==References==Updated September 20, 2021
Admin moved page How did Petrarch influence the Renaissance? to How did Petrarch influence the Renaissance
[[File: Petrarch One.jpg |200px|thumb|left|A contemporary drawing of Petrarch]]
The Italian Renaissance produced many outstanding artists, writers, and thinkers and one of the greatest figures of this era was Francesco Petrarcha (1304-1374). He was a great poet, philosopher, and writer. The Italian was to profoundly impact the Renaissance's poetry, not only in Italy but throughout Europe.
==The life and works of PetrarchWhat was Europe like 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 in Southern France. His father followed the court of the Pope who moved to Avignon urbanization, and feudal society began to escape the disorders and instability break down in Romemany areas. Petrarch’s father obliged him to study lawThe Catholic Church was dominant, but he later abandoned and itinfluenced every aspect of life in Europe. However, his first love it 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 the ancient worldreconsider key beliefs such as humanity's imperfectability. The young Francesco entered the church and took minor orders, this meant that while he most advanced region of Europe at this time was Italy. It was a cleric, he was able to live patchwork of city-states that 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 he had as a result a very cosmopolitan outlooknew ways of looking at the world, which was very rare in the 14th and novel forms of artistic expression that soon spread beyond Italy by the 15th century. One day while attending mass in 1327 he saw == How did Petrarch become a lady, at mass, called famous author? ==[[File: Petrarch 3.jpg|300px|thumb|left|The real-life Laura was Laura whom he fell in love with at first sight De Noves]]Francesco Petrarch (in Italian Petrarca) was born in Arezzo in Northern Italy. His father was a lawyer and she became his muse 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 praise of Lauraa village near Florence, and his family later moved to Avignon in Southern France. There are those His father followed the Pope's court, who have argued that Laura was fictional a poetic devicemoved to Avignon to escape Rome's disorders and instability. Petrarch’s father obliged him to study law, but most believe she he later abandoned it, his first love was literature, and during his school years, he developed a real historical figure. She was probably life-long love of Latin and the wife of a local count ancient world. The young Francesco entered the church and died in 1348took minor orders. He became famous throughout Europe after the circulation of his Epic in Latin, AfricaThis meant that while he was a cleric, based on the life of a Roman general. In 1341 he was invited able to Rome live and was crowned as Poet Laureate, only the second poet to be honoured work in society. The young Italian was in this wayfinancially straitened circumstances after his father's death, since the fall of and he began to serve the Empirepowerful Cardinal Colonna. <ref> Larner Petrarch was a diplomat, John. Italy in the Age of Dante and Petrarchhe had a very cosmopolitan outlook, 1216-1380which was very rare in the 14th century. Vol. 2 (LondonOne day while attending mass in 1327, Longman Publishing Grouphe saw a lady at mass called Laura, 1980)whom he fell in love with at first sight, p 118</ref>. He also became friendly with many and she became his muse and inspired most of the his greatest writers of poetry. During his timetravels on diplomatic missions, such as Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), the author he would write poetry in praise of the DecameronLaura. The Italian Some have argued that Laura was fictional, a great letter-writer and poetic device, but most believe she was a real historical figure. She was in correspondence with probably the leading thinkers wife of his timea local count and died in 1348. Sometime in 1346 it seems that Petrarch had a spiritual crisis and he became more religious but he did not abandon famous throughout Europe after the circulation of his love of the classics and the classical world <ref>LarnerEpic in Latin, Vol IAfrica, p 201</ref>based on a Roman general's life. His fame continued to grow In 1341, and he was sent on more diplomatic mission by the Church. The Italian invited to Rome and was an early supporter crowned as Poet Laureate, only the second poet to be honored in this way since the fall of Cola Rienzi who failed in a bid to resurrect the Roman Republic and restore popular government in RomeEmpire. This made him very unpopular with some of the leading Church figures of the day and possibly harmed his diplomatic career <ref> Larner, John. After 1350 he travelled less [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 began to dedicate himself more to poetry and he revised many of his earlier lyricsPetrarch, 1216-1380. Vol. 2] (London, Longman Publishing Group, especially those in Italian and he collected these in his famous Il Canzoniere (Song Book1980). Despite taking orders, as a cleric, Petrarch, 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, a son and a daughtersuch as Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), the author of the Decameron. He had The Italian was a deep interest in education great letter-writer and became involved was in a number of polemics against those who championed correspondence with the traditional approach to education, which was largely influenced by the teachings leading thinkers of the Church <ref> Mazzotta, Giuseppehis time. The worlds of Sometime in 1346, it seems that Petrarchhad a spiritual crisis, and he became more religious. No. 14 (North Carolina, Duke University Press But he did not abandon his love of the classics and the classical world.<ref>Larner, 1993)Vol I, p. 119201</ref>. In the 1360s he settled in Florence His fame continued to grow, and later Padua but had to move regularly because of outbreaks of the Black Death. In 1367 he returned was sent on a more diplomatic mission by the Church. The Italian was an early supporter of Cola Rienzi, who failed to Padua resurrect the Roman Republic and remained there until his death restore a 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 and Italian it is arguably day and possibly harmed his works diplomatic career. After 1350 he traveled less and especially his poetry in his native tongue that was most influentialbegan to dedicate himself more to poetry. Vernacular poetry had begun to flourish in the 13th and 14th century and the works He revised many of Dante his earlier lyrics, especially Italian, and the Sicilian School are still considered to be masterpieces of European literature<ref> Burckhardt, Jacobhe collected these in his famous Il Canzoniere (Song Book). The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy Despite taking orders, (Londonas a cleric, Penguin BooksPetrarch, 1990), p 117</ref>fathered two children outside of marriage and legitimized both a son and a daughter. Dante one of the world’s greatest poets He had actually been a friend of Petrarch’s father. The writer was, to have a major impact on deep interest in education and became involved in some polemics against those who championed the development of poetry in traditional approach to education, which was largely influenced by the RenaissanceChurch's teachings. He is often credited as the inventor of the sonnet<ref> Mazzotta, one Giuseppe. The worlds of the most popular poetic forms in the western traditionPetrarch. 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 Padua and remained there until he died in a very romantic way 1374. == What was Petrarch's impact on Renaissance literature? ==<dh-ad/>While Petrarch wrote in both Latin and about an idealized beloved. HoweverItalian, it is arguably his works, especially his poems dedicated to his love of Laura were very influential popularized the writing of love poetry in Italy and beyondhis native tongue, that was most influential. His use of sonnets Vernacular poetry had begun to express his inner life flourish in the 13th and emotions was revolutionary 14th centuries, and originalthe works of Dante and the Sicilian School are still considered masterpieces of European literature. This did much to encourage poets to write in a more personal and introspective style<ref> KirkhamBurckhardt, Victoria and Armando MaggiJacob. Petrarch: A Critical Guide to The Civilization of the Complete Works. Renaissance in Italy (ChicagoLondon, University of Chicago PressPenguin 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 was a friend of Petrarch’s father. The writer had a major impact on the Petrarchan Sonnet, were very popular development of poetry in Elizabethan Englandthe Renaissance. Shakespeare was clearly influenced by the Italian and he developed his own style of sonnet, known Petrarch is often credited as the Shakespearian sonnet's inventor, based on Petrarch’s verse. The Italian wrote his poetry in one of the Tuscan dialect, as had Dante ,and this led it to become the standard form of literary expression most popular poetic forms in the Italian Peninsulawestern tradition. This is a fourteen-line poem in the meter known as iambic pentameter. However, which had many regional dialects. The Italian was not he really only perfected the form, and he introduced innovations that allowed poets to use language in a great poet he also was a great prose writervery expressive way. He wrote the first autobiography since Petrarch also developed new literary devices such as the classical era and this extended metaphor. He was a landmark in not the development of the genre and encouraged more writers first to compose their memoirs write about love in a very romantic way and life-storyabout an idealized beloved. His dialogues, letters, and other worksHowever, his poems dedicated to his love of Laura were very influential popularized the writing of love poetry in Latin inspired many imitators in the RenaissanceItaly 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, Victoria, which was contrary to Christian teachings 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: Second Edition[https://www.amazon. (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006), p 115<com/gp/product/0226437426/ref>. =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0226437426&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d4399bf8121c44314571579562bd2c77 Petrarch is often regarded as : A Critical Guide to the Father of HumanismComplete Works]. This is because he helped to popularize the study (Chicago, University 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 studiedChicago Press, 2009), p. 119</ref> Petrarch believed that 's verse became the study of the classics could enhance a personmodel for lyrical poets for many centuries. His sonnets, known as the Petrarchan Sonnet, intellectually and morally and this became axiomatic among humanists. The were very popular in Elizabethan England. The Italian in clearly influenced Shakespeare, and he developed his works encouraged his readers to take an interest in nature and helped to formulate a new aestheticown style of the sonnet, known as the Shakespearian sonnet, which did not regard based on Petrarch’s verse. The Italian wrote his poetry in the world Tuscan dialect, as a ‘vale had Dante. This led it to become the standard form of tears’ but as something that was beautiful and could help a person to develop spiritually <ref>Naubertliterary expression in the Italian Peninsula, pwhich had many regional dialects. 18</ref>. His famous ‘Letter on The Italian was not only a great poet; he also was a great prose writer. He wrote the first autobiography since the ‘Ascent of Mont Ventoux’ is regarded as classical era, and this was a landmark, which argued that a delight in nature could be morally the development of the genre and spiritually uplifting<ref> Petrarch Epistolae familiares (IVencouraged more writers to compose their memoirs and life-story. His dialogues, letters, and other works, 1) </ref>. This is held by many to have initiated a move to in Latin, inspired many imitators in the re-discovery of Renaissance. == Was Petrarch the world after the Middle Ages and its focus on the life to come, 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 the rational examination most important documents of the world and this had dramatic consequences in the fields Renaissance]]Humanism was a cultural movement that valued human qualities, such as diverse as sciencereason, politics and philosophy. Moreoverargued that this world had worth and meaning, the poet in his writings was very much interested in the interior life of a person contrary to Christian teachings. It taught that human agency could improve society and suggested that everyone had a rich inner give dignity and freedom to individual life, a key tenet of humanism. He held that the individual was important, and this was radical for the time <ref>Nauert, Charles G. Bishop, Morris Petrarch Humanism and His Worldthe Culture of Renaissance Europe: Second Edition. (BloomingtonCambridge, Indiana. Indiana Cambridge University Press 1963, 2006), p 118115</ref> However, Petrarch was conflicted, Petrarch is often regarded as the Father of Humanism because he was a very religious man and yet he admired helped popularize the pagan classical worldand literature study. 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 more moral be more 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 classics could enhance a person, intellectually and morally, which became axiomatic among humanists. He encouraged his readers to take an interest in an Italy nature and Europe that was still staunchly Christian <ref>Bishop. p. 201</ref>. [[File: Petrarch Twoformulate 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 develop spiritually.jpg|200px|thumb|left| <ref>Naubert, p. 18.</ref> His famous ‘Letter on the ‘Ascent of Mont Ventoux’ is regarded as a landmark, which inspired Petrarch to write one of the most important documents of the Renaissance]]==Inventing the Renaissance==argued that delight in nature could be morally and spiritually uplifting.<ref> Petrarch Epistolae familiares (IV, 1) </ref> In some ways, Petrarch initiated the poet was not only one of move to the most important figures in world's re-discovery after the Middle Ages and its focus on the Renaissancelife to come, in which was a sense he invented itcharacteristic of the humanists. The Renaissance is widely seen as a period of ‘re-birth’ when Europe rediscovered classical values and in the process used the ancient past, for models which This ultimately led to the development of more modern ways of thought <ref>Bishopworld's rational examination, pwhich had dramatic consequences in fields as diverse as science, politics, and philosophy. 213</ref>. Petrarch was Moreover, the first to recognize that the study of the past by the humanists poet in his writings was very interested in a new period in history person's interior life and one suggested that would revive the glory of Rome and Greeceeveryone had a rich inner life, a key tenet of humanism. He portrayed it as distinct from previous centuries which he described as ignorant held that the individual was important, and a ‘Dark Age’ . This this was not strictly true because learning in Europe had been growing since the 12th centuryradical for the time. Indeed<ref>Bishop, Morris Petrarch, many have argued that the Renaissance in Italy and elsewhere were a direct result of trends in the Middle AgesHis World. (Bloomington, Indiana. Petrarch’s conception of the Renaissance as something distinct from the Medieval world has been profoundly influential and it remains so to this dayIndiana University Press 1963), p 118</ref> BurckhardtHowever, Petrarch was conflicted, he was a very religious man, Jacob. The Civilization of yet he admired the Renaissance in Italypagan classical world. He was ultimately able to resolve this by arguing that the classical and pagan world could help a person become more moral and achieve salvation. This did much to ensure that humanism and its love of the classical past were acceptable in an Italy and Europe that was still staunchly Christian.<ref>Bishop. p. 201</ref> == Did Petrarch Invent the Renaissance? ==
[[File: Petrarch four.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Petrarch from a 15th century Italian painting]]
In some ways, the poet was not only one of the most important figures in the Renaissance; he invented it in a sense. The Renaissance is widely seen as a period of ‘re-birth’ when Europe rediscovered classical values and, in the process, used the ancient past for models, which ultimately led to the development of more modern ways of thought.<ref>Bishop, p. 213</ref> Petrarch was the first to recognize that the study of the past by the humanists was a new period in history and one that would revive the glory of Rome 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 in Europe had been growing since the 12th century. Indeed, many have argued that the Renaissance in Italy and elsewhere were a direct result of trends in the Middle Ages. 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, Jacob. The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy.
== Conclusion ==
Petrarch was undoubtedly one of the most significant influences on the Renaissance, not only in Italy but throughout Europe. His poetry inspired other poets in the period and later to examine their interior life and emotions and celebrate the natural world and 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 the Graeco-Roman civilization. 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 greater awareness of its importance. This had important repercussions and encouraged a belief that this world was important and not just salvation. This encouraged a rediscovery of the ancient world and a growing investigation of the world and society that led to a more modern outlook and was not wholly influenced by 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).