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CH 7

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mikeysanoaka
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Chapter-7

Changing Cultural Traditions

Questions 1.

Which elements of Greek and Roman culture were revived in the 14th and 15th
centuries ?

Answer:

The religious, artistic and literary elements of Greek and Roman culture were revived
in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Questions 2.

Compare details of Italian architecture of this period with Islamic architecture.

Answer:

Following are the points of comparison:

1. Huge buildings were constructed under both the Italian and the Islamic
architectures.

2. Decoration was prominent in both the styles.

3. Arch and pillars were the important characteristics of both the Italian
and the Islamic architectures.

4. Beautiful cathedrals and monasteries were constructed in Italian


architecture, whereas large and magnificent mosques were constructed
under the Islamic style of architecture.

Questions 3.

Why were Italian towns the first to experience the ideas of humanism?

Answer:

The towns of Italy were the first to experience the ideas of humanism because of the
following reasons:

1. Education spread in Italy by the 13th and 14th centuries.

2. Humanism as a subject was first taught in Italian schools, colleges and


universities. Italian people were made aware of humanist views and
ideas.
3. Universities were first of all developed here to spread education.

4. A number of classical books were composed by Roman and Greek


scholars.

Question 4.

Compare the Venetian idea of good government with those in contemporary France.

Answer:

Venice was an Italian city. Venice had a good governance as compared to other
governments during the same era.This city was free from the influence of the church
and feudal lords. In Venice, bankers and rich merchants played a significant role
while there was absolute monarchy in France. In France, common people were
deprived of their rights. The French authorities used to be one-of-a-kind from the
Venetian style of governance. It was primarily based on the device of Feudalism.

Question 5.

What were the features of humanist thought?

Answer:

Humanist thought laid stress on skills and ideas that were developed by individuals
through debate and discussions. These revolutionary ideas attracted attention of
many other universities particularly in the newly established university in Petrarch’s
native town, Florence. The humanist thought increased dignity of human beings.
Humanism embodied the mystical and aesthetic temper of a pre-scientific age. It laid
stress on logic, natural science and metaphysics. It laid emphasis not only on
intellectual learning, but also on physical and moral development. Humanism relied
on flexible thinking. After Petrarch, the humanist philosophy spread first through Italy,
then into other parts of Europe. Humanist thought was reflected in contemporary art
and architecture. Petrarch represented conservative Italian humanism.

Humanism embodied the mystical and aesthetic temper of a pre-scientific age. The
intellectuals of antiquity were relatively unconcerned about the supernatural world
and the eternal destiny of the soul. They were mainly interested in a happy, adequate
and efficient life on earth.

The leading intellectual trait of the era was the recovery of the secular and humane
philosophy of Greece and Rome. The writings of Dante and particularly the doctrines
of Petrarch and humanists like Machiavelli emphasized the virtues of intellectual
freedom and individual expression. In the essays of Montaigne, the individualistic
view of life received the most persuasive and eloquent statement in the history of
literature and society. Leonardo daVinci’s ‘The Last Supper’, Mona Lisa,
Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement, Fall of Man and Raphel’s Madonna were the
important works.
Question 6.

Write a careful account of how the world appeared different to seventeenth century
Europeans.

Answer:

It is probably the most important century in the making of the modern world:-

Scientific discoveries of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler and Isaac Newton brought about
new changes in the world. The Italian scientist Galileo invented telescope. Newton
gave the theory of gravitation. He systematized scientific valuations about the
universe. Copernicus, tried to prove that the earth rotates round the sun. Marco
Polo’s invention of the compass made voyage easier. The explorations of the sailors
like Vasco da Gama, Columbus etc. led to discoveries of new lands. Their
explorations revolutionized trade.

The invention of the printing press made books available to the people in various
towns and cities. Rome, Florence and Venice became the centers of art and learning.
Many artists, scholars and writers were patronized by the rich people in the cities
and towns. Town became the center of art and learning activities. Thomas Moore’s
“Utopia” ridiculed the malpractices of the contemporary society. On above basis, it
can be said that the world appeared different to 17th century Europeans.

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