Intellectual engrossment and appreciation today resulted from the humanism movement during the Italian Renaissance and progressed into England. Nicolas Mann's "The Origins of Humanism" entails the evidence in which this movement took place and describes what humanism truly is. By studying famous works in Ancient Rome and Greece, Mann believed a strong foundation can be built for society and will then create an intellectual enlightenment. Mann emphasizes that humanism was a movement which focused on resurrecting the studias humanitas; language, literature, history and moral philosophy from Ancient Cultures and incorporating the studies into the fourteenth century in Italy.
As the ideas of humanism came into light, there is evidence of using the same ideals in the English Renaissance as presented in Thomas More's Utopia. By following the dialogue between Raphael Hytholday and the character Thomas More, it can be concluded that humanism was present and still followed during that era. In Thomas More's Utopia, the ideals of humanism are presented through the achievement of rhetorical skill and persuasion due to the recovery of classical texts and the art of Roman law as mentioned by Nicholas Mann.
[...] Cambridge: Cambridge UP 1+. Print. More, Thomas, and George M. Logan. "Book I." Utopia: A Revised Translation, Backgrounds, Criticism. New York: W.W. Norton & 9-38. Print. Elsky, Martin. [...]
[...] By studying the actions of the Cardinal and listening to More's reasoning on taking upon a role as well as incorporating all arguments in that sense, one can rightly express their views and perhaps even pass their ideas onto others in a successful manner. In conclusion, humanistic ideals are still present in various eras and the use of rhetorical and persuasive speech is necessary to move ahead into a better and more balanced social and political society. Works Cited Mann, Nicholas. "The Origins of Humanism." The Cambridge Companion to Renaissance Humanism. Ed. Jill Kraye. [...]
[...] He was learned in Latin and Greek as well as learning the morals of the philosophers. However, unlike Petrarch, he does not appreciate the works of the Romans, only of Seneca and Cicero. Raphael believes in Cicero's philosophy of liberty and moral obligation (More, 14) Raphael Hytholday used his skills to win over a spot in the voyage of Amerigo Vespucci's voyage, “After much persuasion and expostulation he got Amerigo's permission to be one of the twenty-four men who were left in a fort at the farthest point of the last voyage” (More, 11). [...]
[...] According to More, each speaker has to find the right moment and strategy to express their opinions widely. Being advanced in the rhetoricalal skill but not in common sense can damage any act of debate the speaker may address. It was required to take upon a role as if in a play to successful understand the way to get an idea across with being condemned but respected instead. The character More believes that a role is necessary to take part in to give a speech and opinion and alter the decisions of the audience, “There is another philosophy that is better suited for political action that takes its cue, adapts itself to the drama in hand, and acts its part neatly and appropriately” (More, 33). [...]
[...] They condemned those convicted of heinous crimes to work (More, 22). The cardinal took this idea into consideration decided it would cause no harm in trying it out. He used a humanistic device known as utramque partem” which means arguing on both sides of the debating issue, it turned out well, then he might establish it by law; if not he could execute immediate punishment on the man formerly condemned” (More, 25). Here, the cardinal took upon a role with his audience in order to appease both sides for the most effective solution for just punishment. [...]
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