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==Europe in the 14th century==The 14th century was in Italian Renaissance produced many ways a time of disaster and, darkness. It was marked by terrible wars, famines and of course the Black Death, the most lethal pandemicoutstanding artists, 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 and urbanisation and feudal society began to break down in many areas. The Catholic Church was dominant, and it influenced every aspect of life in Europe. Howeverwriters, it was corrupt and worldly thinkers and was riven by disputes. This all was leading many to adopt a more secular view one of the world and to reconsider key beliefs such as the imperfectability of humanity. The most advanced area greatest figures of Europe at this time era was ItalyFrancesco Petrarcha (1304-1374). It He was a patch-work of city-states which had become centres of trade great poet, philosopher, and industrywriter. The peninsula Italian was also heir of the Roman Empire and the wealthy urban elite increasingly became interested in the classical world. This led to dramatic cultural changes and new ways of looking at profoundly impact the world and novel ways of artistic expressionRenaissance's poetry, that soon spread beyond not only in Italy by the 15th centurybut throughout Europe.

==The life and works He was also one of Petrarch==Francesco Petrarch (the pioneers in the ‘humanist’ movement, which radically transformed Europeans' worldviews and culture and society. Moreover, the Italian Petrarca) can be said to have invented the Renaissance concept, which he defined as a return to classical values after the ‘Dark Ages’ of the Medieval World.  ==What was born Europe like in Arezzo the 14th century? ==The 14th century was, 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 a village near Florence European societies. There was an increase in long-distance trade and urbanization, and his family later moved feudal society began to Avignon 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 life in RomeEurope. Petrarch’s father obliged him to study lawHowever, but he later abandoned it, his first love was literature and during his school years he developed corrupt and worldly and was riven by disputes. These problems lead many people to adopt a life-long love of Latin more secular worldview and the ancient world. The young Francesco entered the church and took minor orders, reconsider key beliefs such as humanity's imperfectability.  The 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 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 and novel forms of artistic expression that soon spread beyond Italy by the 14th 15th century. One day while attending mass in 1327 he saw  == How did Petrarch become 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 poetryfamous author? ==[[File: Petrarch 3.jpg|300px|thumb|left|The real-life Laura was Laura De Noves]]Francesco Petrarch (in Italian Petrarca) was born in Arezzo in Northern Italy. During his travels on diplomatic missions he would write poetry in praise of Laura. There are those who have argued that Laura His father was fictional a poetic device, but most believe she was lawyer and a real historical figuremember of the minor nobility. She was probably the wife He spent some of his early childhood in a local count village near Florence, and died his family later moved to Avignon in 1348. He became famous throughout Europe after Southern France. His father followed the circulation of his Epic in LatinPope's court, Africa, based on the life of a Roman generalwho moved to Avignon to escape Rome's disorders and instability. In 1341 he was invited  Petrarch’s father obliged him to Rome and was crowned as Poet Laureatestudy law, but he later abandoned it, only the second poet to be honoured in this wayhis first love was literature, since the fall of the Empire. <ref> Larnerand during his school years, John. Italy in the Age he developed a life-long love of Dante Latin and Petrarch, 1216-1380the ancient world. The young Francesco entered the church and took minor orders. Vol. 2 (LondonThis meant that while he was a cleric, Longman Publishing Group, 1980)he was able to live and work in society. The young Italian was in financially straitened circumstances after his father's death, p 118</ref>. He also became friendly with many of and he began to serve the greatest writers of his timepowerful Cardinal Colonna.  Petrarch was a diplomat, such as Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375)and he had a very cosmopolitan outlook, which was very rare in the author of the Decameron14th century. The Italian was a great letter-writer and was One day while attending mass in 1327, he saw a lady at mass called Laura, whom he fell in correspondence love with the leading thinkers at first sight, and she became his muse and inspired most of his timegreatest poetry. Sometime During his travels on diplomatic missions, he would write poetry in 1346 it seems praise of Laura. Some have argued that Petrarch had Laura was 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 a Roman general's life. His fame continued to grow  In 1341, he was invited to Rome and he was sent on more diplomatic mission by 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. After 1350 he travelled less and began to dedicate himself more to poetry [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 he revised many of his earlier lyricsPetrarch, especially those in Italian and he collected these in his famous Il Canzoniere (Song Book)1216-1380. Vol. Despite taking orders2] (London, as a clericLongman Publishing Group, Petrarch1980), fathered two children outside of marriage and he legitimized both p 118</ref> He also became friendly with many of the greatest writers of themhis time, a son and a daughter. He had a deep interest in education and became involved in a number of polemics against those who championed the traditional approach to educationsuch as Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375), which was largely influenced by the teachings author of the Church <ref> Mazzotta, GiuseppeDecameron. The worlds Italian was a great letter-writer and was in correspondence with the leading thinkers of Petrarchhis time. No. 14 (North Carolina Sometime in 1346, Duke University Pressit seems that Petrarch had a spiritual crisis, 1993), pand he became more religious. 119< But he did not abandon his love of the classics and the classical world.<ref>Larner, Vol I, p 201</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 began to dedicate himself more to poetry in . He revised many of his native tongue that was most influential. Vernacular poetry had begun to flourish earlier lyrics, especially Italian, and he collected these in the 13th his famous Il Canzoniere (Song Book).  Despite taking orders, as a cleric, Petrarch, fathered two children outside of marriage and 14th century legitimized both a son and the works of Dante a daughter. He had a deep interest in education and became involved in some polemics against those who championed the Sicilian School are still considered traditional approach to be masterpieces of European literatureeducation, which was largely influenced by the Church's teachings.<ref> BurckhardtMazzotta, JacobGiuseppe. The Civilization worlds of the Renaissance in Italy, Petrarch. No. 14 (LondonNorth Carolina, Penguin BooksDuke University Press, 19901993), p 117. 119.</ref>. Dante one of In the world’s greatest poets 1360s, he settled in Florence and later Padua but had actually been a friend to move regularly because of outbreaks of Petrarch’s fatherthe Black Death. The writer was, In 1367 he returned to have a major Padua and remained there until he died in 1374. == What was Petrarch's impact on the development of poetry in the Renaissance. He is often credited as the inventor of the sonnetliterature? ==<dh-ad/>While Petrarch wrote in both Latin and Italian, one of the most popular poetic forms in the western tradition. This it is a fourteen-line poem arguably his works, especially his poetry in the metre known as iambic pentameter. Howeverhis native tongue, he really only perfected that was most influential. Vernacular poetry had begun to flourish in the form 13th and 14th centuries, and the works of Dante and he introduced innovations that allowed poets to use language in a very expressive way. Petrarch also developed new literary devices such as the extended metaphorSicilian School are still considered masterpieces of European literature. He was not <ref> Burckhardt, Jacob. The Civilization of the first to write about love Renaissance in a very romantic way and about an idealized beloved. HoweverItaly (London, Penguin Books, 1990), p 117</ref> Dante, his poems dedicated to his love one of Laura were very influential popularized the writing world’s greatest poets, was a friend of Petrarch’s father. The writer had a major impact on the development of love poetry in Italy and beyondthe Renaissance. His use of sonnets to express his inner life and emotions was revolutionary and originalPetrarch is often credited as the sonnet's inventor, one of the most popular poetic forms in the western tradition. This did much to encourage poets to write is a fourteen-line poem in a more personal and introspective style<ref> Kirkhamthe meter known as iambic pentameter. However, he really only perfected the form, Victoria and Armando Maggihe introduced innovations that allowed poets to use language in a very expressive way.  Petrarch: A Critical Guide to also developed new literary devices such as the Complete Worksextended metaphor. (Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2009)He was not the first to write about love in a very romantic way and about an idealized beloved. However, p. 119</ref>. Petrarch became his poems dedicated to his love of Laura were very influential popularized the model for lyrical poets for many centurieswriting of love poetry in Italy and beyond. His use of sonnets, known as the Petrarchan Sonnet, were very popular in Elizabethan England. Shakespeare to express his inner life and emotions was clearly influenced by the Italian revolutionary and he developed his own original. This did much to encourage poets to write in a more personal and introspective style of sonnet.<ref> Kirkham, known as the Shakespearian sonnetVictoria, based on Petrarch’s verseand Armando Maggi. The Italian wrote his poetry in the Tuscan dialect, as had Dante ,and this led it [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 become the standard form Complete Works]. (Chicago, University of literary expression in the Italian PeninsulaChicago Press, 2009), which had p. 119</ref>  Petrarch's verse became the model for lyrical poets for many regional dialectscenturies. The His sonnets, known as the Petrarchan Sonnet, were very popular in Elizabethan England. The Italian was not only a great poet clearly influenced Shakespeare, and he also was a great prose writerdeveloped his own style of the sonnet, known as the Shakespearian sonnet, based on Petrarch’s verse. He The Italian wrote his poetry in the first autobiography since Tuscan dialect, as had Dante. This led it to become the classical era and this was a landmark standard form of literary expression in the development of the genre and encouraged more writers to compose their memoirs and life-storyItalian Peninsula, which had many regional dialects. His dialogues, letters, and other worksThe Italian was not only a great poet; he also was a great prose writer. He wrote the first autobiography since the classical era, in Latin inspired many imitators and this was a landmark in the Renaissancedevelopment of the genre and encouraged more writers to compose their memoirs and life-story. ==The First Humanist=His dialogues, letters, and other works, in Latin, inspired many imitators in the Renaissance. == Was Petrarch the First Humanist? ==Humanism was a cultural movement that valued human qualities, such as reason and argued that this world had worth and value, which [[File: Petrarch Two.jpg|300px|thumb|left| Mont Ventoux’ which inspired Petrarch to write one of the most important documents of the Renaissance]]Humanism was contrary to Christian teachings and taught a cultural movement that valued human qualities, such as reason, and argued that this world had worth and meaning, contrary to Christian teachings. It taught that human agency could improve society and give dignity and meaning 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 because he helped to popularize the study of the classical world and literaturestudy. 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  Petrarch initiated a the move to the world's 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 world's rational examination of the world and this , which 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 a person's 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 were acceptable in an Italy and Europe that was still staunchly Christian .<ref>Bishop. p. 201</ref>. [[File: == Did Petrarch Two.jpg|200px|thumb|left| Mont Ventoux’ which inspired Petrarch to write one of the most important documents of the Renaissance]]Invent the Renaissance? ==Inventing the Renaissance==In some ways, the poet was not only one of the most important figures in the Renaissance, in a sense he invented it. 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 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

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]]