HIST 125: The Renaissance

Guide questions for discussion: Coluccio Salutati, civitas, and the active

vs. the contemplative life

General:

1.      Who was Coluccio Salutati?  Why is he important in the development of humanism?

2.      Why did Salutati write these letters?

Letter to Pellegrino Zambeccari:

1.      What a re the two major subjects about which Salutati is writing?

2.      What is his view of poetry?  Is poetry praiseworthy?  Why?  What is the role of the poet?

3.      What does Salutati advice his friend?  Why do you think he does so?

4.      What do you think is Salutati’s final stand on the issue of the active vs. the contemplative life?

5.      What are the pros and cons of each approach to life and salvation?

6.      What is Salutati’s attitude towards the ancients?

Letter to Caterina di messer Vieri di Donato d’Arezzo:

1.      About what is Salutati advising Caterina?  What is his advice?

2.      Salutati is a bit worried about the seemliness of writing this letter.  What finally compelled him to write it anyway?

3.      What is Salutati’s opinion of Caterina?  Why do you think this is so?

4.      How is the letter similar to the previous one?  How does it differ?  Why?