Monday, February 27, 2012

The first few pages of King's third chapter introduce us to some of the important components of humanist studies. Here are some people and things to remember:

• Poggio Bracciolini (pictured at right)
• the significance of a personal study
• the importance of Greek
• liberal arts; trivium, quadrivium
• studia humanitatis

Pietro Paolo Vergerio provides not just a map of the disciplines, but a clear picture of the priorities humanists had for their studies. There's a lot here to suggest a social hierarchy as well; in particular, Vergerio has no use for drawing, probably because he considers it a mechanical art suitable for craftsmen. We will have a chance to see how artists themselves considered their work; as a head's up, theorists of art will not agree with Vergerio's evaluation!

By the time we get to Battista Guarino, we find that the study of the Greek language and literature has become a sine qua non for an educated person. Petrarch did not know Greek, although he kept a copy of Homer in his library, and turned the pages with great reverence. By the mid 15th century, Greek was all the rage. Guarino dwells in great detail on the study of grammar. When I was a child, elementary school was referred to as "grammar school," so some of the legacy of the humanist curriculum remained in a small way. Grammar at this time was considered to be the first step toward achieving mastery in any field at all.

Homework:

1. What does Vergerio mean in the first sentence when he equates liberal studies with a "free man"? You will get a clearer picture as you read through the entire selection.
2. In the Guarino reading, take a good look at all the things an educated person of the 15th century should study, even if such a person is female. Compare this list with your plan of education.
3. People today would call the Renaissance humanists elitist. What features of both these selections supports such a claim?

Laurel Carrington carringt@stolaf.edu
Most recent update: January 20, 2012

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