On Thursday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m., Northern's Early Music Ensemble will perform as part of the Spring A Capella Concert. It looks to me like most or all of the pieces they'll be doing are from the Renaissance period, and I'd really like you to hear this music. The video I showed you really didn't do Renaissance music justice, and you'll get a *much* better feel for Renaissance achievements if you listen to our NSU musicians perform the pieces live.
For extra credit, you can get a program signed by any of the singers/musicians performing at the concert (or from Dr. Woods) and show me the signed program. Alternatively, you can describe here your impressions of the Renaissance pieces. What did you find impressive?
Please read Chapters 15-19 of Machiavelli's The Prince (either pp. 84-104 of the Signet edition or at the link below).
Renaissance humanists had a very positive view of mankind. They greatly appreciated past human achievements, and had an exceptionally high view of human potential . Read through some of Pico della Mirandola's Oration on the Dignity of Man at the link below. Cite a line or two that particular well illustrates Pico's "humanism," i.e., either his appreciation for the past or his optimism about human potential. As an alternative, just cite a line that you particularly like from this work and explain why you like it.
Read Boccaccio's account of the plague in Florence at the link below. What can you tell about Boccaccio's values and concerns from this account? In what ways might seeing the kinds of things he describes affect his writing and his general view of life?
