History of Europe Essays

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In the 15th century through the 17th century there were many changes happening in Europe. Europe’s debut began with discovering new territories, empires, and trade routes while encountering unaccustomed goods and appealing information. People were intrigued by new developments not only in other groups and cultures but also in exploration, technology, goods, information on religion and other governments. Others, such as church leaders, weren’t fond of the new ideas and discoveries made by the philosophers of that particular time period. Changes in the Early Modern Era affected the attitudes of Petrarch and Luther because new ideas, such as humanism and secularism, changed the way people viewed education and religion.
Francesco Petrarch, an
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His eagerness to learn more about language allowed him to understand the art of literature.3 He used his knowledge to criticize the work of others and point out their stupidity. “…Our age is the mother of pride and indolence…”4 he believed that people were becoming caught up in their excessive pride and they had become disrespectful not only to others around them but to the art of writings of others.
In his older years Petrarch became fonder of the Latin language and found it intriguing to study deeper into the so-called “lost language.” However, he found it pointless to teach the knowledge of his studies to others. He said, “And yet why should I find fault with the unenlightenment of the common people, when those who call themselves learned afford so much more just and serious a ground for complaint?”5 Petrarch was pompous when it came to teaching others his studies and works. Common people were not worthy enough to be well educated like him and he found it quite annoying to teach them because he spent years and long hours studying Latin and believed people did not appreciate the history and art of Latin.6 Petrarch became known later as the “Father of Humanism”. Renaissance humanism was an educational and cultural reform engaged by civic leaders, writers, and
scholars. It was also a response to the challenge of medieval scholastic education and studies. Humanists sought out to teach people to write and speak eloquently so…