Exam 7: Rhetoric in the Renaissance

How did writers like Agricola and Ramus tend to treat rhetoric in their own works?

During the Renaissance, arts known as the studia humanitatis became important to education in Europe. What were some of these studies, and what shift from a medieval orientation to study and to life do they reflect? What role did rhetoric play in Renaissance education? Why would rhetoric have been of such universal interest and importance in Renaissance education? What writer was particularly important to shaping and securing the place of rhetoric in the Renaissance Curriculum?

What was the status of rhetorical studies in Renaissance education?

What was Lorenzo Valla's position on the relationship between rhetoric and philosophy?

Provide the term for the following definitions: -A resurgence of interest in the language and texts of classical antiquity.

What is the significance of the concept of the vita activa to Renaissance rhetoric? To which concept was it opposed?

One of the legacies of the Italian Humanists is that their interest in secular history introduced a study of history into schools that used historical writings that did not depend on arguments of divine intervention.

Which of the following was the name for the movement inspired by the Humanists that caused a resurgence of scholarly interest in languages and texts of classical antiquity?

Rhetoric was incredibly prominent in Renaissance education; with over 2,500 books on rhetoric published during this time period students commonly learned systemized rhetorical theories and terms.

Important to the revival of rhetoric during this period was the rise of an educated class of ___________________, which were rhetorically trained secretaries that were responsible for negotiating, recording, and communicating much of a city's civic functions.

Which of the following was the term used by Humanists to describe the ideal type of educated person, who represented a true orator grounded in wisdom and skilled in eloquence?

___________________ was one of the early Italian Humanists that exerted great intellectual influence through letter writing, was himself influenced by Cicero, and wished to see Italy return to the greatness of ancient Rome. Concerned with the "persuasive power" of rhetoric he wrote, "speech can have no dignity unless the soul has dignity."

In what way are Agricola and Ramus significant to the history of rhetoric?

Although there was considerable opposition to women actually speaking in public during the Renaissance, some women gained reputations for their public oratory.

Provide the term for the following definitions: -The ideal type of the educated person in the Renaissance.

Provide an overview of the Humanists' interest in, and approach to the study of, classical texts.

What is Richard Lanham's explanation of the development of rhetorical figures of speech?

Humanists imagined a return to classical studies as providing a basis for broad social change. Is it still possible to imagine educational reform leading to social reform? Explain.

What argument could be made against Ramus' reduction of rhetoric to a concern for style and ornament in language? What argument could be made in favor of this reduction?

Who was Pico della Mirandola, and what factors characterized his interest in language?