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The Worlds of the Renaissance: Projects - Kim Smolik

Primary Document: Ideal Society
Venice

Venice: A Documentary History
Student Questions

INTRODUCTION: FOOD FOR THE CITY

  1. What are the principal causes of the "magnificnece and greatness of a city?"



  2. In addition, what is an important part of maintaining a powerful state?



  3. How does a good city earn the favor of God?



  4. How could problems in the Venetian Republic be solved?



AGAINST BAD FLOUR

  1. Why were the people of Venice concerned with bad flour?



  2. How did the Signori (ruler) respond to this concern?



  3. Why will this make Venice a great city?



GROWTH OF POPULATION

  1. Why is food shortage a concern?



  2. How is the pride of Venetians revealed in the statement that foreigners have come to live in Venice (due to wars elsewhere)?



GOOD ORDER AND MORALITY

  1. What heinous and detestable crime will receive severe punishment?



  2. What other moral offences are awarded punishment? (name them)









  3. If an offense is committed ...

    1. what defines those who are included in this proclamation of rules on moral behaviour?


    2. whom is the offense against?


    3. is the offense only against God and other Holy people? Take into account question 3a.


    4. how would the opening sentence of this section have been written during the Middle Ages? What does this difference/change represent as valuable to Venice?


  4. In summary, what makes an ideal society in Venice according to readings in this section?



INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL ORDER

  1. What classes existed in Venice in the 16th century?



  2. What privileges were afforded each class?



  3. How was each estate acknowledged?



  4. How does the list of the collection of primary texts define the hierarchy of Venetian society and how one can enter into the privileged bodies?



A MERCHANT'S CHILD AND HIS PROGRESS (1509-11)

  1. The behavior of this boy, Zuan Franchescho, is being praised by his father to his uncle. What values does each action identified by the father demonstrate exists for Venice's "Ideal Society?" (Identify 5)











INTRODUCTION: NOBILITY

  1. From 1450-1650, how were the nobility viewed?



  2. What level of profession could they obtain?



  3. What purpose did baptisms serve?



  4. With what was each noble family associated?


    To what ends?


NOBLES AND CITIZENS IN VENICE

  1. What benefits does citizenship in Venice offer in regards to the following:

    provisions of wealth for the populace


    intermixing of classes


    more security for the less privileged


  2. What point is the author trying to make in regards to social equality?



  3. In summary, what makes an ideal society in Venice according to readings in this section?



BAPTISMAL CEREMONIES

  1. What is the duty of the council (in your own words)?



  2. How were Venetian gentlemen being bribed? Why?



  3. The practice of using baptism to gain proper alliances demonstrates the importance of hierarchy, but what value does the law instituted represent?



DEATH OF A PATRICIAN

  1. What details of the funeral service offer insight into the social classes of the deceased?



  2. What important dignitaries were present?



  3. How does the last line of the document help explain the extravagance of the ceremony?



  4. In summary, what makes an ideal society in Venice according to readings in this section?




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