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.http://www.cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/Mirandola/
God the Father, the Mightiest Architect, had already raised, according to the precepts of His hidden wisdom, this world we see, the cosmic dwelling of divinity, a temple most august.
ReplyDeleteI especially like this line in the text. I liked this because it states that God is the mightest architect which explainst that he is the creator of everything and in the process knows exactly what he is doing. He has the wisdom to be able to do the right thing with this thing we call the world. I think Picco really shows that to the people through this line of text. It is inspirational and reassuring to know these things and what he has to say about God.
Jillaine Pfeifle MWF 11:00 a.m
This wisest of the Fathers who though sleeping in the lower world, still has his eyes fixed on the world above, will admonish us.
ReplyDeleteI believe this sentence says that that right now he is on earth living, but his sight is on a bigger prize which is is making it to heaven. Even though it may not be easy, you have to obey and care for others to make it there but in some ways it’s an accomplishment to make it to heaven because that means you have lived a good honest life.
Jordan Zenk
MWF 11:00 a.m.
We have made you a creature neither of heaven nor of earth, neither mortal nor immortal, in order that you may, as the free and proud shaper of your own being, fashion yourself in the form you may prefer.
ReplyDeleteThis statement says that we are all incharge of our own mind, body and soul. What we do with our lives, how we act and how we treat others will shape who we are internaly as well a externaly. We have been given an opportunity to be the best that we can be, but we need to realize that we only have one chance to make this happen. So we should live life to the fullest each and everyday.
Ellen Schlosser
MWF 11:00 am
I have placed you at the very center of the world, so that from that vantage point you may with greater ease glance round about you on all that the world contains. I think this means that you are important. Life is unpredictable and exciting. Life is to short to waste. The world is huge so live your life and enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteJacob Butrous MWF 9:00
"We have made you a creature neither of heaven nor of earth, neither mortal nor immortal, in order that you may, as the free and proud shaper of your own being, fashion yourself in the form you may prefer. It will be in your power to descend to the lower, brutish forms of life; you will be able, through your own decision, to rise again to the superior orders whose life is divine."
ReplyDeleteI really like this passage because God is telling Adam that he has created him but he is giving him the ability to make his own decisions. God is giving him a chance to see the world in all of its forms, good and evil, God is not forcing Adam to make his decisions. He is saying that even if he makes some bad decisions he can rise again.
Heather Maier MWF 10:00am
"if powers fail, there shall be praise for daring; and in great undertaking, to have willed is enough."
ReplyDeleteI like this line because it relates so well to everday life, without someone holding our hand we must make choices, although we may be chastised for the choices we make it is our own free will that allows us to make those choices, and praise for a correct choice is like nothing else
My favorite quote out of the entire story is,"God the Father, the Mightiest Architect, had already raised, according to the precepts of His hidden wisdom, this world we see, the cosmic dwelling of divinity, a temple most august." I especially liked this quote because it is almost telling people how god is real, god is mighty, and god has created all. This qoute also shows that god is above all. Re-assuring it's readers, that there is a higher god, and inspiring many to be more faithful.
ReplyDeleteAnd he was right; for it is not the bark that makes the tree, but its insensitive and unresponsive nature; nor the hide which makes the beast of burden, but its brute and sensual soul; nor the orbicular form which makes the heavens, but their harmonious order I really like this line because it has a really deep meaning which i believe is all about saying its not about how things appear but how they work and act
ReplyDelete"Oh unsurpassed generosity of God the Father, Oh wondrous and unsurpassable felicity of man, to whom it is granted to have what he chooses, to be what he wills to be!"
ReplyDeleteI beleive that he is trying to say that God the father is the most high and he is the one who makes all the decisions. He is the one that chooses who and how we become who we are, and it's up to God to choose our path of life.
Amber Brezden MWF 9:00
My favorite line from the Oration is how Pico Della Mirandola says man is granted to have what he chooses, to be what he wills to be. He goes through all the different paths men have chosen to follow. If a man does nothing he is like a plant. If he is rational he will be revealed as a heavenly being and if intellectual, will be an angel of God. If a man chooses to do nothing he will be left in solitary darkness with the Father. I think this is very true. Those who strive for and really want a fulfilled life can have that. There are also those people in the world that don't leave the house, travel, or seem to like other people in society. Those people will lead a dark and lonely life.
ReplyDeleteSarah Birkholz, 11:00
``Come unto me you who are spent in labor and I will restore you; come to me and I will give you the peace which the world and nature cannot give.''
ReplyDeleteI think that this quote expresses what God is willing to do for man only if he accepts him. Picco with this line states the importants of Christianity and what will happen if you accept it. I think that it is spiritual reassuring to all Christians, knowing that someone is there for you providing peace that no one else can give you. This line is telling you that if you are so worn out from working that he will provide you with a refresher. I as a Christian really like it because it’s telling me that if I let myself go to him he will provide me with peace.
Ashley Schultz
MWF 10:00