Materials

• A copy of teacher-provided primary source reading by Petrarch or another Renaissance humanist for each student
• Teacher-selected excerpt from a Shakespearian play (if possible, a play familiar to the students)
• Teacher-developed questions for discussion on selected humanist and Shakespearean readings (optional)

Instructional Activities

1. Begin by asking students to answer the following question:
   
   • What types of literature are you most interested in reading?
   
   Attempt to elicit responses about what they read for pleasure, not just for school. Explain that they are going to examine the literature of the Renaissance.
   
   
2. Display notes on Renaissance humanists and discuss their role in Renaissance culture.
   
   
3. Divide the class in two. Have one group read Petrarch and the other group read Shakespeare. The teacher may wish to have questions to accompany the readings and a group “leader” to guide the discussion. Have the groups switch authors when they are done.
   
   
4. As a whole class, discuss how the authors are similar and different and why each is important.