RAJ NANDY
37 followers
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE IN VERSE
                                    By Raj Nandy
THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE WAS A PERIOD OF TRANSITION
BETWEEN MEDIEVAL & THE MODERN  WORLD. I propose to
present in three installments my researched work for both the Art &
History lovers of this Site. Kindly take your time to read at leisure before commenting. Thanks, -Raj Nandy, New Delhi.

                   PART ONE: BACKGROUND
The Term Renaissance :
The word ‘Renaissance’ means ‘to be born again’ ,
Derives from French ‘renaistre’ and Latin ‘renascere’, -
both meaning the same !
Swiss historian Jacob Buckhardt by writing “The
Civilization of Renaissance in Italy”,
Helped to popularize this term during the 19th Century !
The Renaissance evolved out of ‘Christendom’ , which
was Medieval Europe ;
Ruled entirely by the Catholic Church and the Pope !
It formed a period of transition between the Medieval
and the Modern Age ,
And as a contrast to the preceding thousand years , -
Which the Latin scholar Petrarch christened as the
‘Dark Ages’ !
This era saw a revival of interest in classical learning
of Greek and Roman art and culture ;
Focused on individual’s life on earth , with a new spirit
of adventure !
Happiness was no longer shelved to an afterlife and
repentance for salvation ;
But it lay in the advancement of human beings on Earth , -
with secular contemplation !
Thus individualism , secularism , and humanism , were
chief characteristics of the Renaissance ;
With innovations in art, architecture , and a scientific
temper of thought !
Knowledge no longer remained confined within the cold
ecclesiastical walls ,
But it spread from Italy across Northern Europe , -
To distant English shores through France !
During the Renaissance era Humanism became its
dominant philosophy ;
And there begins our Renaissance Story, since knowledge
is no man’s monopoly !
Events leading up to the Renaissance were many ;
Let me now dwell upon some salient features which
shaped its History !

THE BLACK DEATH (Peaked between 1347-1352) :
It was brought by Genoese merchant ships from the Orient ,
The fatal bacillus of the bubonic plague carried in the blood
stream of rodents !
The plague from Sicily and Italy spread to Northern Europe ,
All medicines failed , and even the Church provided no hope !
After having raged for almost a decade it started to abate ;
But by then almost one-third of entire Europe’s population
lay dead !
This deadly plague which followed the Hundred Year’s War
between England and France ,
Created social , economic and political upheavals in Europe,
leaving little to chance !
People began to lose faith in the church and on sermons of
afterlife ,
Secular thoughts now prevailed in a world where only the
fittest could survive !
Shortages of labour brought an end to Medieval feudalism
and serfdom ,
And Europe gradually emerged out of those Dark Ages, -
to greet the rising Renaissance sun !
The meager labour force could now bargain for better
wages and individual rights ;
Later, merchant guilds protected specialized labour and
their human rights !
Cities got gradually built and a new social order began
to emerge ,
Historians say that Europe saw the rise of a new Middle
Class !
As Europe gradually begun to recover from the aftermath
of war , plague, and devastation ;
The City-States of Italy lit the torch of a new intellectual
emancipation !
But before moving onto the Italian city-states, I must
mention the Holy Crusades ;
Since the Crusades opened up the doors of knowledge
and trade ;
Helping this ‘New Learning’ of the Renaissance to spread !

THE HOLY CRUSADES (1095-1270) :
At the behest of Pope Urban II and his battle cry “God
Wills It! ” ;
The First Crusade was launched to recapture the Holy Land
from Muslim infidels !
Within a span of next two hundred years eight Crusades
were launched ,
The First one took Jerusalem , but the Second failed to make
Damascus fall !
The Third led by Richard the Lion Heart, made Saladin to
grant the rights , -
To Christian pilgrims to visit their Holy shrines in Palestine !
The Fourth Crusade had sacked Constantinople , - then a
commercial rival of the Italians !
Now cutting a long story short , let us see what History
has taught !
These Crusades helped in opening up the trade routes ,
For importing paper, spices, soap, silk and luxury goods !
Trade was carried out with the countries of Levant region ,
Which included the countries from Turkey to Egypt , -
Bordering the eastern seaboards of the Mediterranean !
These trade routes formed a major conduit of culture
and knowledge ,
And exchanges and interactions broadened the mental
horizon of the Italians !
From Constantinople, recently Christianized Spain , and
the Arab lands , -
The preserved ancient classical knowledge now reached
the Italian hands !
In their School of Salamanca the Arabs of  Spain ,
Had translated works of Aristotle and classical scholars
into Arabic , - thereby preserving the same !
Later scholars translated these precious works into Greek
and Italian ,
And thus the Ancient Classics saw a glorious revival !
The scientific, philosophical, and mathematical thoughts
of the Arabs had also entered Northern Italy ,
From Egypt and the Levant region , to enrich Pre-
Renaissance Italy !
And when Byzantine Empire fell to the Turks in 1453 ,
Its Greek scholars with their precious manuscripts flocked
into Italy !

THE CITY-STATES OF ITALY :
‘Italia’, once the epicenter of the mighty Roman Empire ,
Disintegrated into several small principalities breaking
up Italy entire !
Its mountainous rugged terrain was a barrier to effective
internal communication ;
And no strong unified monarchies emerged, as in other
parts of Europe !
Italy with its peninsula jutting out into the Mediterranean
Sea ,
Had begun to monopolize the trade routes, and also to
prosper economically !
During the time of the Renaissance , Italy had numerous
autonomous city-states and territories ;
Where a powerful leader called the Signore , ruled for
a fixed tenure initially ;
But later this post was declared as hereditary !
Kingdom of Naples controlled the south ;
Republic of Florence and the Papal States the center ;
Genoese and the Milanese the north and west respectively ;
And the Venetians the eastern part of Italy .
These Italian city-states prospered greatly from its growing
trade during the 14th century ;
Its cargo ships visiting Byzantine , and the cities bordering
the Mediterranean Sea !
It became a status symbol for rich families to patronize
art and culture ;
They vied with one another commissioning paintings
and architecture !
But the Italian city-state that had prospered the most ,
Was the city-state of Florence which became the host ;
And the ‘Cradle of European Renaissance’ !
...............................................................­­................................
* ALL COPY RIGHTS WITH THE AUTHOR -RAJ NANDY*
(My Part -II will contain the Story of Florence , - " Cradle of the
Italian Renaissance". Thanks for reading, do recommend this Verse to
your other poet friends!
Comments from Gita Ashok, an Educator, from ‘Poetfreak.com’:- A thoroughly researched erudite collection of historical facts presented in a very lucid and interesting manner. This write made me reminisce all those history lessons that I learnt in school many years ago - many of which I found boring as it was taught in an intimidating way. I feel like going back in time, becoming a student once again and learning history through such creatively written works of art. But I realize that we are all yet students of life and can still continue to learn and grow. I feel fortunate to have read this great piece of literary work and I look forward to reading the second part.-  by Gita Ashok | Reply
Edit poem

AN INTRODUCTION TO ITALIAN RENAISSANCE was added 21 hours ago.

If - Vancouver was born
“Quite fun. Ran up this with my partner on our first time
  up to the top of the Chief. Great fun!” - Juler 2011-09-03

Then - The alpine was created


Mountaineers started at sea level and they walked
into a


“Million thanks to the one who put
permanent draws on the bolts” - calvinclimb 2011-09-07


veritable howling wilderness
to counter this foreign *******

Thus the alpine was created by us:
Learned cosmopolitan alpinists

Would not could not cannot popularize
The exclusive sport of learned cosmopolitan alpinists
To popularize was to vulgarize


“My buudy took a big fall fell clipping,
lucky falls are super safe” - boulamania 2013-06-05

Take for instance Art Cooper’s statement:
You've heard about the Squamish Chief,
The way they go up that rock wall
I don’t think that’s climbing at all.”

No Art, certainly not
Now they do not stay long enough to feel diminished
Unlike us learned cosmopolitan alpinists
“Everyone in the free world has climbed this uber-classic!
Should you get lost, ask the party in front of you where to go” - rock climbing.com
Who drove our teeth through our lips for our
Exploratory climbing
Now
A well used recreational area

Yaserevai Q.bi found the mood of Starbucks;            Talk to adults in Caltech
Support each other; Lighthouse Owenvaniya Hati Lait Yuvao Chacho
Kiryat Yarim, (2000-2015) Rules for the use of the terms of use of the library. Vanidi Lejhi Sundar Gabrique, he is.           destiny;
enya neberiku
golden golden eggs
                                    Measure the product. For good news
Lettte Street, Vanderil Liuchi.                    Technology, 3-libigigiriwi work it ikiti inudiniyiyiyigigelu within Metalechi
This knowledge is Imphiligelu baby Shotochi.
ECB Challenge, Starbucks?
Twenty
With Kyle-A
Amen ____ Devotion is not shy
Capital point
See the fields of precious stones.
Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Easter festival.
Yanasiladki Lewit, student name, Pothi Dyeri,
No application Gilead, Gilaad, part of Paradise,
with Kille-A and Gilead.       Here, the Lord says here that all leaders do not condemn themselves for believing in the darkness of sin.
Even then: they are not married.
From the table of the homepage in English.
Today, in the North, Starbucks Disfir.
See tabs get satellites and satellites;     See Yannery's products immediately verses of the heavenly Spirit
I do not remember enough space.
Change in real time Love for readers, love, love,
Despite the fraud, the behavior is not outside the criteria.
The parents of the child, I am happy with the parents.
When they hear, they are enemies.
Australia have represented many organizations.                       n4 comments
Karl changes the dialogue of 3 lines
that will change the enemy and other popular Kebkiiboni. The death of my mother. Do I want women and men
            to meet at the ECB meeting, Starbucks?
Breakfast:           We have seen our community.
Candidate;       Afghan on Saturday of marriage
The first man,                             General Bruno,
After deleting the last proposal,
The study focused on many investigations,
Changes in the nose and death.
His mandate is not difficult                                           for the child of Libya,
and the young ēdišenišitemi should use,
magnet, to ask the elderly parents.    I went to a country and I heard a voice. Drivers and antiseptics. Our characteristics
and participation in four germs show that vitamins derived from vitamin B by Elchev, the bill is considered a charity.
Beta break break
Here is a kind of separation.
We have to make efforts without changing the city.      ECB response from tomorrow, Starbucks Disfire
We brilliant steal curiosity; satellite
cemetery                                            And immediately ask Nirrin Products;
Spell speaks of the spirit of heaven
I forgot the coffee grounds, changed it
The changes in real mode.
For the love of a partner
for the reader of the same out of water,
Txawmlicaslos, the nature of the jitters cannot be found
Son. Parents, working parents. I was happy.
They are the enemies of themselves when they hear this.
Australia; There are many trade unions       4 Comments
Changes in the Economy;        Wanting to change
the threat to the Kooiritim
and popularize some other local, in the 3D chat. |
                      My mother dies.       I want women.
ECB meeting, Starbucks?
Breakfast weekend,                      |          He asked for our cyclone animation;
Unnamed V. runner Afoga lady Saturday
Nirin primary variation
General In Brody,                                After the collapse of the last sentence;
yezarēwi ī.bī. Millie, Starbucks Dispersion
Caltech. Chat with adults in cell
Support one another
Owenwaniya Hanti Lati Yuuwuo Chucho.
The lighthouse of Kiriath Jearim,
(2000-2015)                                Library of Regulations Useful Terms of Use
wenidi liji Beautiful gabiaki, that is. desitenya neberiku. Golden golden egg.
Measure Product; For Good News
Lietti street, Wenderegel Leuichi;
In šeledewi-art, 3-libigigiriwi worikiti
inudiniyiyiyiligigelus. Inatra motalechi
the knowledge is ifeligalehu baby sētochi.
                        ECB Challenge, Starbucks?
t'ewati
With Kile-a
Amen;                        shy without lyuneti's
chapter sign,
See the gem of the field.
                    And he went out before the feast,
yenasiladikī lewit'i,                                        student name motidiresi,
No one is in the application. With Kile-a. In Gilead,
Gilead, Gilead, the paradis part. Behold, the Lord spake here,
saying that the judges of a deacon of all their own
did not believe in sinners to meet with sinners
about all who oppose him.
Yet: They are not married.
From the table to the English homepage.
Today, EB Answers, Starbucks Disfir
We see the light of the eyes.         Get satellites and satellite immediately see yenireni product,                                             letters about the heavenly spirits;                                               I do not remember the coffee place
[Change in real time].       Love for the reader is love in love, affection,
While fraud, the behavior outside the yardstick
                  has not been found
The boy. Parents, with parents. I'm happy.              When they hear,
                                                         they are enemies.
Australia; There are many organizations represented by 4 comments -
The changes in the Karolithi $ 3-line dialogue
that would change the enemy and other popular ākebebochini.
My mother dies. I want women and men.
ECB meeting, Starbucks?
Breakfast Breakfast
We have watched our community.
Unnamed V. Marriage for Afoga Saturday
Neri's First Person
General Bruno,
After the last sentence was deleted,
The study focused on many research,
The change of nose, and death,
His command is not difficult to libiya boy,
and ēdišenišitemi should use young men,
Imam, to ask elderly parents.                                       I went to a country,
and I heard a voice. Drivers and antiseptics;
Our features and four of the membership evidence of bacteria infected
                                                              in­to water bemifek'ediblechewy,
the invoice is considered a charitable organization.
Beta version break.
Here, some separation is unbelief
We must strive in the city, without change. Focused on a range of legal research;
Nasljaddiki's change, and even to death,
It is difficult for the commandment
of the products of the morning in the Susanny Liibob,
Edensteintoto lay for men to use it, Iamanth;     Y asks the old man's parents. And participated in a national newspaper,
and I heard a sharp voice. Rifles and drugs trafficking;         Australia, three-dimensional and four acts of ownership
for the approval of bacteria flowing into the water,                            flowing,
                                       is shown as the Connick of charity.
Scareware jet version infringement of the price,     \                          it is said.
Some of them are Gentiles,   they release slŭnchevo
We need to take a look into the city,       there is no change.