The Italian Renaissance

These primary sources open a window onto the ways that women and men in Renaissance Italy sought to communicate their beliefs, desires, fears, and hopes, both about their own lives and about the dynamic culture they helped to shape. An ideal complement to Paula Findlen’s ‘The Italian Renaissance: Essential Readings’ (Blackwell Publishing, 2002). Includes canonical texts alongside newly available ones that give fresh perspectives. Selections address topical issues, such as the family strategies of women, attitudes towards non-Italians, and women as patrons of art. Genres represented include correspondence, poetry, the story, dialogue, oratory, and autobiography. Brings the teaching of the Italian Renaissance to life, showing how citizens communicated about their beliefs, desires, fears, and hopes.

List of Illustrations. Acknowledgments. Introduction. Part I: Introductory Readings. 1. Dante, Inferno, Cantos I & XXVI. 2. Petrarch. Letter On ‘Ascent Of Mt. Ventoux’. Two Letters To Cicero. Il Canzoniere, Poems 1-5, 30, 189, 272, 365. 3. Leonardo Bruni, Life Of Petrarch. Part II: Renaissance Statecraft And Its Limitations:. 4. Pius II, Commentaries, Procession & Speech About A Crusade. 5. Machiavelli, The Prince, Dedication + Bks. 7, 15, 17-18, 25-26. Part III: Urban Life And Values:. 6. Boccaccio, Decameron 2:5 (Story Of Andreuccio). 7. Alessandra Strozzi, Selected Letters. 8. Machiavelli & Vettori, 2 Letters. Part IV: Gender And Society. 9. Boccaccio, Decameron 10:10 (Story Of Griselda). 10. Barbaro, On Wifely Duties, Bk. 2, Chaps. 1, 3-5, 9. Part V: The Power Of Knowledge:. 11. Valla, On The Donation Of Constantine. 12. Ficino, Three Books On Life, I:7, II:10–13. 13. Cereta, Two ‘Familiar’ Letters. 14. Alcionio, An Oration On The Sack Of Rome. Part VI: Patronage, Art, And Culture:. 15. Isabella d’Este, Letters On Collecting. 16. Cellini, Autobiography, 1:24-29. Part VII: The End Of The Renaissance. 17. Castiglione, Book Of The Courtier, 4:4-26. 18. Valeriano, On The Ill Fortune Of Learned Men, 1:1-14. Index.