My name is George W. Bush. And I approve this blog!
I have travelled back in time from my 21st Century Presidency to the 1300s to Italy to experience their ideologies of the Renaissance. From my research (that my secret service did for me because I don’t give a hoot about all this Renaissance stuff), I have learned that this Italian Renaissance secular movement is a push for separation between the Church and the State. (This is somewhat ridiculous if you ask me) Renaissance thinkers believe that all things are tainted by the Church. However, Pope Gregory VII, feels that scholasticism is the way to live; a philosophy of using religious dogma to solve philosophical problems – Faith, God and Will. These two different ideologies during this era are causing quite a dispute and division in Italy.
In addition, the Renaissance supporters believe that individual success is based on personal brilliance instead of your religion and what type of person you truly are. From my perspective, Renaissance thinkers are well-intentioned but they often misinterpret classical texts.
Wow, I think that I’m actually growing a slight interest for this Renaissance stuff...how interesting. As I am filled with more information, I learn more! Italy’s culture and traditions differ from the rest of Europe. Developing in today’s day in age, humanism is a prominent ideology that is a branch of Renaissance philosophy. Italy’s secular humanism is live for today, live in the now. They look at the whole world as being a real world where success is attained. In order for the Italian Humanists to persuade citizens, they are focusing on rhetoric, which is a type of persuasion through effective speech in politics. They use classical allusions to give authority to their speeches. I have even felt it while I’m here in Italy, I have been approached by Italian Humanists to push me to join their group. Don’t they know who I am? I don’t support no Italian Humanism...that’s European stuff, I’m American. Well anyways, I have had some interesting encounters in Italian streets, but they have all been important factors in my learning process about the Italian Renaissance and their Humanism ideologies. I have really noticed how Humanism has many limitations. And a majority of the limits pertain to women; limits to the progress in society for women, limited opportunities and limited jobs. (Oh Laura wouldn’t like that...) Although, on the whole, the Renaissance was a very progressive and modernizing movement which brought increased rights for an individual male, however not women.
I had a dinner party this evening with several of men of this century; Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Petrarch, Lorenzo de Medici, Boccaccio and Machiavelli. I have heard about these men back in the 21st Century, and I finally had the chance to meet them in person over dinner this evening. I had the chance to speak with each one of them personally. The first man I spoke with was Leonardo da Vinci, a humanist scholar. He is a famous painter, architect and engineer. His work is still famous in my day! He displayed the Renaissance movement through his work – his paintings, and his architecture. Next, I spoke with Michelangelo. To me, he was famous for the painting on some chapel ceiling. It was fascinating to actually meet this famous man and to hear what he is truly all about. Michelangelo worked alongside of da Vinci in many of his architectural projects. Michelangelo is an amazing sculptor and is perhaps most famous for his beautiful painting on the Sistine Chapel Ceiling. He mainly did religious works because the Church is where all the money is. (He is my kind of guy! Money, money, money) It is great getting to know these gentlemen through conversations that I never dreamed of having. Following Michelangelo, I spoke with Petrarch. Petrarch is the first modern writer. He writes in Italian, so unfortunately, I can’t read his work. Petrarch is the Father of Humanism, this huge movement and ideology I am experiencing while I am here in Italy. Petrarch argues that it is more moral to get involved in politics and civil life than study religious studies, so Petrarch does support the Church and State separation, that I don’t agree with but it is his opinion. Next, I spoke with Lorenzo de Medici. Medici is a Renaissance patron of the arts who supports creativity. From what I understand, Medici has a very centralized power structure, and he is very popular in Florence, Italy. Following Medici, I met with Boccaccio. Boccaccio is influence by Petrarch and his ideologies; mainly in advocating introducing Greek literature into Italian education. Boccaccio popularized vernacular writing which is the key for spreading Renaissance ideas. Finally, I had the chance to meet with Niccolo Machiavelli. Machiavelli supports the idea of history because the more you know about the past, the more you can learn from it and use it in the future. Throughout this evening’s dinner, I have noticed some tension between Medici and Machiavelli, but I could not understand why until I personally met Machiavelli. He was a former employer of the Medici family, who holds immense political power in and out of Florence. Machiavelli wrote the book “The Prince,” which is about political endeavours to be successful. “Better to be feared than loved as a political leader,” he said. I could use those tactics back in the 21st Century for my presidency! Machiavelli is very practical, rational and fair in his decisions. However, Medici feared that someone could actually use the book ideas and take over the Medici family dominance. Hopefully things can be sorted out between the two.
It was a pleasure getting to know these gentlemen tonight and hearing about their ideologies and views on the Renaissance and Humanism in Italy. Now I am leaving Italy and travelling around Europe!
In addition, the Renaissance supporters believe that individual success is based on personal brilliance instead of your religion and what type of person you truly are. From my perspective, Renaissance thinkers are well-intentioned but they often misinterpret classical texts.
Wow, I think that I’m actually growing a slight interest for this Renaissance stuff...how interesting. As I am filled with more information, I learn more! Italy’s culture and traditions differ from the rest of Europe. Developing in today’s day in age, humanism is a prominent ideology that is a branch of Renaissance philosophy. Italy’s secular humanism is live for today, live in the now. They look at the whole world as being a real world where success is attained. In order for the Italian Humanists to persuade citizens, they are focusing on rhetoric, which is a type of persuasion through effective speech in politics. They use classical allusions to give authority to their speeches. I have even felt it while I’m here in Italy, I have been approached by Italian Humanists to push me to join their group. Don’t they know who I am? I don’t support no Italian Humanism...that’s European stuff, I’m American. Well anyways, I have had some interesting encounters in Italian streets, but they have all been important factors in my learning process about the Italian Renaissance and their Humanism ideologies. I have really noticed how Humanism has many limitations. And a majority of the limits pertain to women; limits to the progress in society for women, limited opportunities and limited jobs. (Oh Laura wouldn’t like that...) Although, on the whole, the Renaissance was a very progressive and modernizing movement which brought increased rights for an individual male, however not women.
I had a dinner party this evening with several of men of this century; Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Petrarch, Lorenzo de Medici, Boccaccio and Machiavelli. I have heard about these men back in the 21st Century, and I finally had the chance to meet them in person over dinner this evening. I had the chance to speak with each one of them personally. The first man I spoke with was Leonardo da Vinci, a humanist scholar. He is a famous painter, architect and engineer. His work is still famous in my day! He displayed the Renaissance movement through his work – his paintings, and his architecture. Next, I spoke with Michelangelo. To me, he was famous for the painting on some chapel ceiling. It was fascinating to actually meet this famous man and to hear what he is truly all about. Michelangelo worked alongside of da Vinci in many of his architectural projects. Michelangelo is an amazing sculptor and is perhaps most famous for his beautiful painting on the Sistine Chapel Ceiling. He mainly did religious works because the Church is where all the money is. (He is my kind of guy! Money, money, money) It is great getting to know these gentlemen through conversations that I never dreamed of having. Following Michelangelo, I spoke with Petrarch. Petrarch is the first modern writer. He writes in Italian, so unfortunately, I can’t read his work. Petrarch is the Father of Humanism, this huge movement and ideology I am experiencing while I am here in Italy. Petrarch argues that it is more moral to get involved in politics and civil life than study religious studies, so Petrarch does support the Church and State separation, that I don’t agree with but it is his opinion. Next, I spoke with Lorenzo de Medici. Medici is a Renaissance patron of the arts who supports creativity. From what I understand, Medici has a very centralized power structure, and he is very popular in Florence, Italy. Following Medici, I met with Boccaccio. Boccaccio is influence by Petrarch and his ideologies; mainly in advocating introducing Greek literature into Italian education. Boccaccio popularized vernacular writing which is the key for spreading Renaissance ideas. Finally, I had the chance to meet with Niccolo Machiavelli. Machiavelli supports the idea of history because the more you know about the past, the more you can learn from it and use it in the future. Throughout this evening’s dinner, I have noticed some tension between Medici and Machiavelli, but I could not understand why until I personally met Machiavelli. He was a former employer of the Medici family, who holds immense political power in and out of Florence. Machiavelli wrote the book “The Prince,” which is about political endeavours to be successful. “Better to be feared than loved as a political leader,” he said. I could use those tactics back in the 21st Century for my presidency! Machiavelli is very practical, rational and fair in his decisions. However, Medici feared that someone could actually use the book ideas and take over the Medici family dominance. Hopefully things can be sorted out between the two.
It was a pleasure getting to know these gentlemen tonight and hearing about their ideologies and views on the Renaissance and Humanism in Italy. Now I am leaving Italy and travelling around Europe!
No comments:
Post a Comment