The Origins of Humanism - Essay Example

?"The Origins of Humanism" – an Analysis Humanism has often been considered a concept that paved the way for grave discussions whenever scholars attempted to define it in their own ways. Though one cannot acknowledge all those definitions, one has to take heed of some of the notable definitions, especially such logical and reasonable definitions as those of Nicholas Mann. Mann begins his essay by taking a different view on history. Mann suggests that information mentioned in history may not be real. Therefore, according to him, the perceptions of the Dark Ages or Renaissance may not be entirely true. Mann actually refers to this difference in order to bring to light the reality of humanism, i.e., the existing perceptions of humanism may vary after a closer analysis. Mann presents the essay so systematically that he unveils the history of humanism and the significant contribution of Cicero to it. Then he logically expresses his concept of humanism and observes, “...a working definition of humanism is clearly necessary, notwithstanding the misgivings, expressed above about the value of histeriographical labels” (Mann 3). Regarding humanism, one can see that the concept of humanism has been changed, bringing significant changes in social, cultural, educational and various other sectors of social life. While attempting at an analysis of Mann’s article, one can observe that the concept of humanism springs from the legacy of antiquity and also from the legacy of literature, especially through the vast number of works produced by writers ranging from Cicero and Petrarch to Lovato and his pupil Albertino Mussato. Mann is of the opinion that “Humanism is that concern with the legacy of antiquity and in particular, but not exclusively, with its literary legacy – which characterises the work of the scholars from at least the ninth century onwards” (Mann 3). He advocates that it is possible only through rediscovery and study of ancient Greek and Roman texts. Mann then attempts to trace a direct line of textual descent from Rome to the Renaissance. Mann’s analysis of Renaissance begins with Petrarch, the Italian writer, when Petrarch attained a copy of the classical text De chorographia of the first-century geographer Pomponinus Mela. Then his attention moves on to Heiric, the Carolingian teacher who annotated the text in the ninth century, which was actually reached in the hands of Petrarch. Mann identifies that it was Heiric’s activity at Auxerre which paved the way to what is known as the Carolingian Renaissance, a flourishing of scholarship occurred in the eighth and ninth centuries. Mann has also observed that the majority of future practises were the heirs of the Carolingian Renaissance. The flourishing of a vast number of libraries and books in different regions was a notable feature of this Renaissance. The manuscripts of Heiric on Cicero’s works, Valerius Maximus and Aulus Gellius later helped the Italian humanists to regard them as a primary material for the recovery of the classics. The establishment of schools other than the schools of the monasteries was a revolutionary incident during the Carolingian period. The vast number of schools established increased the need for books and the circle of readers. Mann asserts that “During the twelfth century, classical literature underwent a new revival, this time labelled as the twelfth-century Renaissance; at the courts and in the cathedral schools [in various regions of the West]....” (Mann 5). Along with this, there had been tremendous changes in the professional sector as society was in need of so many professionals. Texts on a variety of subjects and translated works from languages such as Latin and Greek also marked Renaissance. John of Salisbury is another popular figure, according to Mann, who was involved in the emergence of humanism. He was a popular Latin stylist and grammarian who became the role model for other humanists to explore in depth. The fourteenth century was specifically notable for the study of classical texts in France. The scholars of this time adopted grammar as a tool for understanding and they imitated Roman writers. But things were different in Italy where “it developed along different lines and particularly in the direction of rhetoric as a skill for contemporary life” (Mann 4). The twelfth century witnessed notable changes in Italy where the art of public speaking and the art of letter writing became so popular. The rhetoricians pursued the ancient models to achieve eloquence in the writing of letters and teaching. The lawyers of this time learned legal texts and adapted the precepts of the Roman law. They were also interested in the other aspects of their classical heritage, specifically in history and philosophy. They also liked to follow Latin verse whenever they attempted at recreational writing. The city of Padua was one of the earliest centers of proto-humanism. In this city lived Lovato Lovati, who contributed significantly to humanism. The surviving works of Lovato include the Latin verse epistles, works of classical writers and the remarkable commentary of Seneca’s tragedies. While reading through these writings, one may feel it as “an appetite for classical texts; a philological concern to correct them and ascertain their meaning; and a desire to imitate them” (Mann 5). The same features, to a greater or lesser degree, can be identified among other minor figures in Lovato's Paduan circle. But the one who followed the ways of Lovato was the most famous pupil Albertino Mussato – the key figure in this scholarly revival. He was a lawyer, politician and patriot who became popular as a diplomat and a man of letters. Like Lovato, he was so widely read that his writings landed him wide popularity. It was his play, the verse tragedy Ecerinis, written in classical meter and imitating Seneca, that earned him much reputation as a writer. The play provided a powerful political message and thus by regarding his contribution to poetry and patriotism, Mussato was crowned with laurels in 1315 by his grateful compatriots (Mann 5). Therefore, one can assume that Lovato’s disciple, Albertino Mussato, proved as a good writer who could exercise his influence on humanism. Mann makes a notable comment when he writes about Petrarch, who has often been referred as the father of humanism and certainly the outstanding scholar and creative writer of his generation (Mann 5). In his opinion, “Petrarch was to remain in the secular world and to serve political patrons as politician and diplomat.” In a way one can say that Petrarch was the writer who considered the topic of humanism seriously by adopting the old available writing De ignorantia and attempted at a grave study which is still beneficial for the students of humanism, so as to check and compare it with modern concepts. In the same way, the comment of the four Aristotelians is also notable. They had said that “Petrarch was a good but uneducated man” (Mann 9). Yet, one cannot agree with this inference while reading through the vast number of literary works he produced. His visits to Rome and other regions of the West filled him with infinite knowledge that made him a towering figure in literature. Towards the concluding part of the article, Mann observes, “With De ignorantia we cannot come to the full circle: to the writer who first inspired him and who provided him throughout his career not merely with texts to study but with a literary and technical model of his own life and works” (Mann 10). It makes clear that Petrarch, after reading De ignorantia, paved the way for humanism as well as Renaissance in the western world. Thus, one can clearly assert that Petrarch certainly deserves to be called by the name “father of humanism.” Regarding the movement of Renaissance that started from Italy and spread all over the Western world, one can see that it probably started with Petrarch in Italy and reached England through his successors. To conclude, one can infer that Mann has attempted to unveil the origins of humanism and the various ways through which it has sprouted to the current state. The analysis of the works of Cicero, Petrarch and the like really helps one to understand the history of humanism and the concept of Mann concerning the issue. The analysis of Mann’s article confirms the fact that the concept of humanism springs from the legacy of antiquity and also from the legacy of literature, especially through the vast number of works produced by writers ranging from Cicero and Petrarch to Lovato and his disciple Albertino Mussato. Works Cited Mann, Nicholas. “The origins of Humanism.” Cambridge University Press. Read More