5.2 SkillBuilder activity USING HISTORICAL SOURCES
SOURCE4 The Merchant of Prato by Iris Origo
‘Your letter was placed in my hand when we were at table, and Tessa my wife was there; and I vow, my delight and amusement caused me to change countenance [expression], so that my wife was consumed with curiosity to know the subject of what I read.’ Letter of Ser Lapo Mazzei, writing to the wife of his friend, Margherita Datini, whom Mazzei taught to read and write when she was over thirty years of age.
Analysing sources To analyse a source, consider: origin, motive, content and context, intended audience, perspective, reliability, usefulness/significance Origin: Letter of Ser Lapo Mazzei to Margherita Datini Intended audience: Margherita Datini Content and context: Having taught Margherita to read and write, Mazzei was eager to be updated on her progress through regular contact. Perspective: Not only does Mazzei indicate that he is pleased with Margherita’s writing, but he also he takes care to tell her that he finds her letters entertaining. Reliability: This is a highly personal communication, and we cannot conclude from it that large numbers of women in the Renaissance were taught to read. However, as this communication was intended to be private, Mazzei had no reason to invent his perspective. Significance: This letter is evidence of a Renaissance woman, Margherita, the wife of a merchant, who is taught to read and write. It is also clear that she shared regular correspondence with her teacher Mazzei, who was a business associate and friend of her husband Francesco.
SOURCE5 Diary of Ser Lapo Mazzei written in 1400, recording the death of his mother
On the 27th, when I visited her, she was lifted up and brought to the fireside to sup [eat] with me, when suddenly crying out, ‘Oh, God, help me!’ she drew two long breaths, and gave up the ghost in my arms . . . she departed in peace, and left me, ungrateful and weak as I am, most disconsolate. For during her sickness, not thinking her near death, I was not humble and courteous as I would have wished to be. Had I but slept and talked beside her for a single night and comforted that poor little old body and persuaded that tired spirit to depart gladly, towards God, our home.
1. a. Origin: Record the source details. b. Motive/intended audience: Suggest why this source was created. Suggest whether the author would have intended for the source to be read by others. c. Content and context: Describe the event recorded in Mazzei’s diary entry. d. Perspective: Analyse Mazzei’s feelings about this event. Use short quotes from his diary to support your points. e. Reliability: Mazzei’s mother is described in the diary entry. Discuss whether it is possible for readers to understand her perspective from the information in the source. Provide reasons for your answer. f. Use Trove or Google Scholar to locate another example of a Renaissance diary. Published diary authors include Marino Sanudo, Priuli, Buonaccorso Pitti, Gregorio Dati, Francesco Datini and Marco Parenti. Having found a diary extract, determine the following: origin, motive, content and context, intended audience, perspective, reliability, and usefulness/significance.
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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