The Renaissance and the Age of Discovery, Essay Example

Weber notes that the Renaissance 14^th through the 16^th century overlapping the Late Middle Ages. There was more enterprise, more leisure and more wealth during this time. There was also more consumptions, specifically consumption of culture. Michelangelo painted the last judgment in the Sistine Chapel. Weber notes that this work supplanted the middle ages and affirmed the significance of the Renaissance. Weber credits this painting as starting the theme of the western world, that “man is great.” What does Weber  notes that the scope of human aspirations was increased by greater material prosperity. In this he means that the greater prosperity and achievements due to economic expansions and innovations, and the excitement of the time made people as though they were capable of much more than those from a century before, and this idea was further enforced by success.

Patterns of the Renaissance

The secular spirit was a non-religious spirit or passion that moved and inspired the Renaissance. The art and politics of the Renaissance can be seen comingling through the contributions of numerous people. A the text notes, “A ?nal characteristic of this new spirit was that it was secular—that is, it did not take place in the churches, monasteries, or universities that were dominated by religious thought (Sherman & Salisbury, 306).” Realism was a significant aspect of the art of the period (Sherman & Salisbury, 305). Activism could be seen in that work of Michelangelo as his work “Adam,” was seen as a controversial message to the church. The text notes that, “Michelangelo’s Adam in participates in his own creation by reaching up to receive the spark of life, and people were encouraged to imitate this active involvement (Sherman & Salisbury, 306).” The word secular is not to be viewed as anti-religious, as the text notes quotes a great Renaissance thinker, Petrarch who said, “Christ is my God; Cicero is the prince of the language I use (Sherman & Salisbury, 306).”

Venice

Venice’s constitution only its aristocratic merchant families,  numbering about 2,000 can serve in its Great Council. From among this number, they chose one man to serve as the council leader, or doge, for life, but most men were in their 70s before being elected to this of?ce. This rule by the elders made political life in Venice remarkably stable indeed, the city called itself the “Most Serene Republic  (Sherman & Salisbury, 314).” “This peace also stemmed from the prosperity generated by overseas trade, which Venice dominated owing to its advantageous location on the Adriatic Sea (Sherman & Salisbury, 306).”

Borgia family and Their Impact

The Borgia Pope Alexander VI (r. 1492–1503) tried to reclaim his lands from his acquisitive neighbors. Alexander also proved worldly in his personal life; gossips glee-fully circulated accounts of his sexual escapades. He still upheld the tradition of Renaissance family life. He favored his illegitimate children by placing them in high positions (Sherman & Salisbury, 316).”

The Reign of Louis the Spider and its impact on France

The French king, Louis XI (r. 1461–1483) skillfully introduced a new type of diplomacy. He did not abide by chivalries but instead bribed officials and murdered his enemies. For this he earned the name  “Louis the Spider,” “because he spun a complex web of intrigue and diplomatic machinations worthy of Machiavelli—bribing his allies and murdering his enemies. (Sherman & Salisbury, 323).” Louis left France strong and prosperous. The text noted that he was well positioned to place a person in his place who could play a powerful political role in the following centuries (Sherman & Salisbury, 323).” All was not well during this period economically for others though, “Whenever there is a great disparity between rich and poor in a situation of some social mobility, crime tends to run high. This was true through-out Renaissance Europe (Sherman & Salisbury, 318.”