Literature in the Italian Renaissance

Important Authors:

• Machiavelli (writer)
• Shakespeare (playwright)
• Boccaccio (poet)

The Renaissance was a time of change and creativity in Europe. It re-birthed cultural and intellectual persuits. Literature played a big part in the shaping of the Italian Renaissance.

Machiavelli

• He wrote "The Prince" which was banned by Pope Clement the 14th.
• He was an Italian historian, diplomat, politician, philosopher, humanist, and writer.
• He is known as the founder of modern, political science and political eithics.

Machiavelli

• Lived through May 3, 1469-June 21, 1527.
• He was a very dark and twisted writer, tons of people loved his writing.
• He started "Machiavellanism" which meant he was basically smarter than everyone around him.
• He definitely helped shape the way the Italian Renaissance lived, and read.

Shakespeare

• William Shakespeare wrote 37 plays (1539-1613).
• He wrote 10 tragedies, 17 comedies, and 10 histories. Most of which are still performed today.
• His plays displayed the vision of individualism and the indomitable human spirit.
• Known as the greatest writer in the English language and the World's best dramatist. He was the most popular and influential in the Italian Renaissance.

Giovanni Boccaccio

• He studied law and justice for years, but later decided his natural interest lied in poetry.
• He has claimed fame for over 600 years, and considered himself a humanist.
• He was born in Italy in 1313, place of birth is unknown, and grew up in Florence.
• Giovanni's poems were love poems, with mythology, and drama included.

Machiavelli

Untitled Slide

Boccaccio

sources

• dictionary.com
• Wikipedia
• biography.com
• Google images
• famousauthors.org