GUIDE TO READING NOTES 29

GUIDE TO READING NOTES 29
In this activity, you will take a walking tour of Renaissance Florence.
For each section of Reading Notes, use a different color marker to show
where you are on the map below and to color the border for that section
of notes. Answer the questions for each section when directed to do so.
Map of Renaissance Florence
7
1
6
2
3
4
5
1. Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore
2. Piazza della Signoria
3. Mercato Nuovo
4. Orsanmichele
5. Palazzo Medici
6. Casa di Dante
7. Palazzo Vecchio
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GUIDE TO READING NOTES 29
29.3 Advances in Architecture and Engineering: Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore
1. Briefly describe two ways that classical ideas influenced Renaissance architecture.
Renaissance buildings were modeled on ancient ruins. They had Greek- and Roman-inspired
features such as arches, columns, and domed roofs.
2. How did Brunelleschi build a dome that wouldn’t collapse?
He used eight stone arches that leaned against each other. The arches were supported by
hoops of iron, wood, and brick.
3. Compare your human dome to Brunelleschi’s dome by completing the sentences.
• On our dome, the parts of our bodies that supported the most weight were
our legs and feet.
• On Brunelleschi’s dome, the parts that supported the most weight were
the arches.
• The feet on our dome were like the bottom of the arches, or the base, on Brunelleschi’s dome.
• The beach ball on our dome was like the lantern on Brunelleschi’s dome.
• The bodies on our dome were like the arches on Brunelleschi’s dome.
Our dome
Brunelleschi’s dome
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GUIDE TO READING NOTES 29
29.4 Advances in Painting: Palazzo Medici
1. Briefly describe two Renaissance advances in painting styles.
Renaissance figures were more realistic, with lifelike poses and emotions. Renaissance art used
more realistic backgrounds, giving a sense of depth, or space.
2. Briefly describe two Renaissance advances in painting techniques.
Possible answers: Renaissance painters used geometry to divide space, perspective to make scenes
look more realistic, and oil paint to redo work and show new details and textures.
3. Botticelli
painted
Adoration
of the Magi
in about 1482.
On the image,
label at least
three perspective
techniques he used.
The columns look flat
when you look
straight at them,
but seen from
another angle
they have width.
Closer figures
seem bigger, those
farther away
seem smaller.
The mountains
are pale blue
and blurry to
show they are
in the distance.
The viewer’s
eyes are drawn
toward Mary
and Jesus.
29.5 Advances in Sculpture: Piazza della Signoria
1. Briefly describe two ways in which Renaissance sculpture was different from medieval sculpture.
Renaissance sculptures were three-dimensional, freestanding, looked like real people, and
showed emotions.
2. What was so amazing about Donatello’s David? About Michelangelo’s David?
Donatello’s “David” was a life-size nude that showed personality and mood and was very natural
and lifelike. Michelangelo’s “David” was enormous, beautiful, and showed complex emotions.
3. What was it like to try to sculpt an eye from a cube of clay? What do you think it might have been
like for Michelangelo to create his David from a block of marble?
Answers will vary.
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GUIDE TO READING NOTES 29
29.6 Advances in Literature: Casa di Dante
1. Briefly describe two ways in which Renaissance literature differed from medieval literature.
Medieval literature was usually about religious subjects and was written in Latin and in an
impersonal style. Renaissance literature included works about nonreligious subjects and was
written in local dialects and in a more personal style.
2. How is Dante’s The Divine Comedy an example of humanist art?
Dante’s work expressed strong emotions, was about the experience of individuals, and commented
on society and people of the time.
3. Write the place from Dante’s imaginary journey—Paradiso, Purgatorio, or Inferno—that each
image depicts.
Purgatorio Paradiso Inferno
4. Read the following passage from Dante’s The Divine Comedy. Then complete the sentence.
Italian
Quivi sospiri, pianti e alti guai
risonavan per l’aere sanza stelle
per ch’io al cominciar ne lagrimai.
English
Here sighs and lamentations and loud cries
were echoing across the starless air
so that as soon as I set out, I wept.
I think this passage describes ________________________ Inferno
because…
(Paradiso, Purgatorio, Inferno)
it’s dark and there are sighs and cries and sadness.
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GUIDE TO READING NOTES 29
29.7 Advances in Science and Mathematics: Orsanmichele
1. How did the study of science change during the Renaissance?
During the Renaissance, people used a new approach: they questioned old ideas, made careful
observations, performed experiments, and analyzed the results.
2. List four science or mathematics topics Leonardo explored in his notebooks.
Leonardo explored geometry, engineering, anatomy, motion, sound, architecture, and more.
3. These drawings are from Leonardo’s notebooks. Write what you think each drawing represents.
device for raising water
flying machine
four-wheeled armored tank
proportions of a
man’s head
a building
physics and geometry
calculations
map of a city
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GUIDE TO READING NOTES 29
29.8 Florentine Politics: Palazzo Vecchio
1. How did the Medici family rule Florence for so long?
The Medicis were involved in many aspects of city life. They kept a strong military, built
palaces, sponsored art, and defeated their enemies.
2. What was Machiavelli’s book The Prince about?
His book is a realistic description of politics, government, and how rulers can make their
states strong.
3. Rewrite each quotation in your own words as if explaining to another student what
Machiavelli meant. Then indicate whether you agree or disagree with his statement.
Quotation 1 A prince should have no other aim or thought, nor take up any other
thing for his study, but war and its organization and discipline, for that is the only
art that is necessary to one who commands.
My interpretation:
Possible answer: A political leader should master the art of war above all else.
I agree / disagree with Machiavelli.
Quotation 2 Thus, it is well to seem merciful, faithful, humane, sincere, religious,
and also to be so; but you must have the mind so disposed that when it is merciful
to be otherwise you may be able to change to the opposite qualities.
My interpretation:
Possible answer: Look like you have good and admirable qualities, but be willing to display
the opposite qualities when necessary.
I agree / disagree with Machiavelli.
Quotation 3 In the actions of men, and especially of princes, from which there is
no appeal, the end justifies the means.
My interpretation:
Possible answer: The actions we take are considered acceptable or unacceptable based
on the results we want to achieve.
I agree / disagree with Machiavelli.
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GUIDE TO READING NOTES 29
29.9 Florentine Commerce and Trade: Mercato Nuovo
1. What industries helped Florence become the center of the Renaissance?
The woolen-cloth and banking industries helped Florence become the center of the Renaissance.
2. What were two differences between Florence’s Old Market and New Market?
The Old Market was crowded and smelly and was where everyday items such as food and
household goods were sold. The New Market was orderly and clean and was where cloth was
sold and banking was done.
3. List the item(s) you purchased with your florins. Then complete the sentence.
Answers will vary.
I bought these things with my florins:
I bought these things because…
694 Lesson 29