Petrarch opted out of studying law in order to devote his life to literature. ... He considered himself a protector of the study of the humanities that Petrarch started. ... As a result, humanism was reflected in all types of literary works; rhetorical pieces, poetry, historical accounts, and even books on education and daily life. ... He was most well-known for his guide to courtly behavior, titled Il cortegiano (The Courtier). The guide was published in 1528 in Venice and outlines how a courtier should conduct oneself, in love, war, and his pursuit of education (Kekewich 167). ...

• Word Count: 2321
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The humanistic movement began during the early Italian Renaissance with the rediscovery of the writings of classical Greeks and Romans, which were not only models of literary style, but considered to be guides to the understanding of life. ... One of his greatest works, School of Athens, shows a humanistic influence of classical Greek and Roman models through depicting a group of Greek philosophers studying about a group of stone pillars. ...

• Word Count: 1908
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The humanists of the Renaissance rediscovered the Latin and Greek classics (hence the "rebirth" or "renaissance" of the classical world), that humanist philosophy stressed the dignity of humanity, and that humanists shifted intellectual emphasis off of theology and logic to specifically human studies. ... The humanistic movement began during the early Italian Renaissance with the rediscovery of the writings of classical Greeks and Romans, which were not only models of literary style, but considered to be guides to the understanding of life. ...

• Word Count: 1970
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate