Preview

Leon Battista Alberti's Analysis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
628 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Leon Battista Alberti's Analysis
The renaissance movement of Italy placed an emphasis on intellect and artistic values reminiscent of the past. The humanist ideals of this movement focused on education with emphasizing literary aptitude, human experience and potential, and producing upstanding citizens. These ideals are reflected in Leon Battista Alberti’s concept of the role a proper family and the importance he places on raising children of good character and morals. The main end goal of a humanist approach to education was the cultivation of citizens with exemplary moral values. (Cole, 367) Alberti’s view that a proper family raises children to be virtuous citizens mirrors this humanist goal. On the subject of children, ALberti says, “I do encourage you to continue and as you are doing in every sort of activity and hard discipline that you may attain excellence and deserve fame.” (Brophy, 34) He is insistent that children understand the evil of idleness, and be well rounded in their skill sets. (Brophy, 32/33/34) According to ALberti a man needs to secure his own happiness through knowledge and success in his chosen field, at which point his family's happiness will follow suit. (Brophy, 35) He places a heavy importance on a man's knowledge and making …show more content…
This program of study focused on what has come to be known the study of “humanities”: literature, ethics, history and the like; and aimed to produce upstanding and virtuous citizens. (Cole 366) Humanist ideals valued ancient texts, intellect, glory, and wealth; and strongly devalued women. Looking at the emphasis ALbeit places on raising children's to be educated and useful citizens, the knowledge and work ethic of a man, and his attitudes towards the roles and intelligence of women, it is clear how these values shaped his opinions of the roles a proper family must play in the context of society and public

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Poop

    • 1270 Words
    • 6 Pages

    When historians speak of Renaissance humanism, they are referring to the most predominant characteristic movement of the time period that valued ancient Greek and Roman literature, styles, ideologies and their insights into human nature. This movement not only valued the Greco-Roman intellect, but also emphasized the hatred and separation from the medieval theology. More specifically, the key principle of Renaissance humanism was to educate people, politicians and future politicians based on classical Greco-Roman literature which emphasizes communication skills, literacy, history, and the application knowledge to promote productive and active lives. In doing so, the Greco-Roman values would be held in high regard by the government thereby reducing corruption and increasing education of the secular outlook on life and the universe. Lastly, it was the humanist vision at that time to achieve through education, a level of eloquence and intellect that would lead them to virtuousness.…

    • 1270 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    During the Renaissance in Italy, many architectural, artistic, and scientific advances were made. One of the main studies/ideas during the Renaissance was Humanism. Humanism is the study and importance of the human being. Scientists such as Galileo, Copernicus, and Vesalius were all born during Renaissance in Italy, and their ideas are still relevant in our lives today. William Shakespeare is one of the most well known writers in history, and he was born during the Italian Renaissance. Life during Renaissance Italy is similar and different to our life today.…

    • 420 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Italian Renaissance was a period of great achievement that produced very influential masterworks that directly affects society today. The masterworks created by the genius artists during this time period are all greatly influenced by the philosophy of Humanism. Humanism of the Italian Renaissance was an education reform based off the idea that humans are the primary importance and centered on human’s values, capacities, and worth (Eugenio 534). This theory gives the knowledge necessary for a human being to be successful. This educational reform of Humanism was led by scholars, writers and civic leaders who are today known as humanists (Eugenio 534). Shaped by the philosophy of humanism, masterworks of literature and artwork from the Italian Renaissance demonstrate…

    • 1345 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    DBQ Renaissance

    • 908 Words
    • 3 Pages

    During the Renaissance there were many various values and purposes of education. Over time, these were challenged and transformed. Major themes that remained in this time period were the benefits of education, the faults of education, and education for women.…

    • 908 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    We mark Italian society's rebirth from the medieval period with the changes that occurred during the Italian Renaissance. Civilization was changing and what we consider the modern world was about to begin. The renaissance activity that happened in Europe outside of Italy is called the Northern European Renaissance. Italy's humanist ideas and values moved out of Italy and throughout Europe, which spurred on the Northern European Renaissance. The Renaissance period began in the early 14th Century and lasted until the late 16th Century. “Renaissance” comes from the French word that means “rebirth.” This time period is named and studied because of its unique art, literature, and music. It is also known as society's modern age.…

    • 1104 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the blurred definition of a successful life, happiness and pleasure are characteristics that have been lucid and parallel in the many contrasting ideas. Amongst successful icons in today’s society, Steve Jobs has been admired by many people as a role model and a representation of a successful journey. In Steve Jobs's commencement address to the Stanford University alumni, he elaborates on the idea that it is essential to follow one’s heart, in order to find what genuinely makes one happy. He also emphasizes the necessity to find a profession in which one is talented and willingly able to enjoy, in a way that portrays happiness in what one does as success. Although some may argue that his ideas are a bit superficial and naive,…

    • 899 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Renaissance Dbq

    • 954 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Renaissance was a time of rebirth of the studies of the Greeks and Romans, as well as the start of new ideas. Some ideas that were created in the Renaissance include: individualism, secularism and humanism. Individualism was the concept of the individual and the belief to be able to reach the best of its abilities. Secularism is enjoying worldly affairs, which took after the Roman’s epicureanism. Lastly, the concept of humanism which is the study of human nature. All three of these ideas were ideal to the purposes and values of education throughout the Renaissance. These ideas were useful to the people as well as caused them damage. Thus, education and its purposes and values were argued hotly throughout the Renaissance. Some of the main arguments were education for upper class, education for all, and criticizing education over all.…

    • 954 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Revolution Dbq

    • 816 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Renaissance was a time of change. It began in Italy during the 14th century, and spread throughout the North. People all over Europe were affected, for the better and for the worse. Some people finally had a chance to control their own fate or their futures (doc. 1). Others, like upper class women, lost their social status. The values and purposes of Renaissance education were to improve the society, increase the economy, and restore the religious beliefs.…

    • 816 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Art of Love - Ovid

    • 1245 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The poetry of Ovid exemplified in The Art of Love is one of the only examples of the contemporary social behavior exhibited during the time of Rome. Ovid writes about social activities, proper style, women, and how to obtain them. Through Ovid’s perspective, there are three different ways to consider a woman. These three views include relating a woman to a game, a beautiful treasure, and as a means to assert social status. Comparatively, Andreas Capellanus writes in a way that makes women seem respected, worthy and as something to a man would willingly devote his life to. Both men have a clear fascination with women and their relationship to men. However, their distinct writing styles cause distinct perceptions of women in society.…

    • 1245 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    References: Fiero, G. K. (2002). The Humanistic Tradition Volume II: The Early Modern World to the Present (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.…

    • 1047 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Literature has played an important role in our attempt to understand reality, and it does this through portraying thinking patterns and social norms that are existent and important within a society. In this sense, literature is important because it portrays different stages that man encounters in life; some of the great literary work provides society with a certain level of guidance through life. Reading literature entails more than just acquiring knowledge which too is important but it goes further into giving us different contexts that help us in understanding life. There is a great variety of literary work that one can read in order to acquire a certain level of understanding life as we have mentioned before; in this essay though we have decided to focus on two very influential readings in the prism of literature. The first one being that by Confucius entitled Analects and the second reading by Machiavelli entitled The Prince. We will be trying to compare the two authors based on different themes and concepts; but before doing that we must acquire a certain level of background about both the two authors and the two readings.…

    • 2672 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Italy and Government Mla

    • 1710 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The social lives of the people in Italy have gone through many changes during the 20th century with new art forms, more religious freedoms, education, and the family…

    • 1710 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Humanists teachings included rhetoric and moral philosophy, going against traditional ways of education. In fact, many humanists believed that tradition were useless in many aspects. They believed that education should not only inform but “promote individual virtual and public service”(pg 327). Vittorino da Feltre, an Italian humanist teacher, not only had his students read works of classical philosophers, but also instructed them to exercise and to participate in games. Desiderius Erasmus, one of the most famous humanists, instructed his students to show good manners, speak well, and live a healthy life.…

    • 714 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Art101 Ca1

    • 1181 Words
    • 5 Pages

    “The Renaissance period was a time of great cultural upheaval which had a profound effect on European intellectual development. Having its beginnings in Italy, by the 16th century, it had spread to the rest of Europe. Its influence was felt in various aspects of intellectual pursuits such as philosophy, literature, religion, science, politics, and, of course, art. The scholars of this period applied the humanist method in every field of study, and sought human emotion and realism in art. The inherent reason for the changes incorporated in artistic technique was a renewed interest in depicting nature in its natural beauty, as well as to resolve the fundamentals of aesthetics, the pinnacles of which can be seen in the works of some of the best of Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci, 1452-1519, regarded as the most versatile of geniuses of the Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo, 1475-1564, a Florentine sculptor, painter and architect, and Raphael, 1483-1520, whose works embody the ideals of High Renaissance.” (Putatunda, Rita (N.D). Italian Culture: Renaissance Art and Artists.…

    • 1181 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Journal Entry Week 4

    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In order to speak on Humanities, there must be a clear view on what the meaning of it is. Humanities are a clear investigation of human beings and how they act, which includes their self-expression and their culture. The purpose of this paper is to explain how humanities replicate changing concepts of life and individuals in diverse historical periods. In today's civilization, human beings are ignorant to the history of our people. Our ancestors have contributed too many areas that we participate in frequently. The result of researching humanities provides us with a better understanding of where individuals have been and where it is important to go. By basing our future off history, allows us to work towards improvements that will produce positive results and circumstances in today’s time.…

    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays