The end of the Middle Ages was marked by hunger, death and war. Famine waves across Europe caused massive destruction and led to starvation and decline of the European population. The plague known as the “Black Death” raged across the continent, leaving millions of dead across Europe in its wake. The population declined rapidly and death became a common occurrence throughout the European world. Due to these dark and gloomy times, humans have become pessimistic about life and the human condition. There has been little progress and innovation in education, technology and the arts. People became dependent on support from communities as food was scarce, disease was rampant, and death was common. This caused a devaluation of the individual and gave much greater importance to the community; However, the importance of the individual emerged at the end of the Dark Ages and in the light of a new light on England: the Renaissance. Full of innovative thinkers, artists, and writers, the Renaissance emphasized the importance of individual expression. The vision of the human condition became optimistic and emphasized human goodness; this new view of humans and the world became known as humanism. Humanists emphasized the potential and perfectibility of humans and revived classical writings while paying homage to figures of Antiquity; these ideals characterize humanism and are conveyed through the letters of Petrarch, the speeches of Pico Della Mirandola and the works of Shakespeare. Humanism evolved because of a desire for educational reform. Scholasticism, a form of learning clinging to traditional doctrines and teachings, did not satisfy the desires of Europe's literate population. A push for educational reform began in Florence around the beginning of the 14th century...... middle of paper ......arch praises and glorifies Cicero in his letters (Petrarch, Familiar letters). He goes on to say that Cicero “is the light that illuminates the path before us” (Petrarch, Familiar Letters). Petrarch describes Cicero as his inspiration and as the leader of all humanists. In doing so, Petrarch pays homage to the ancient poet and gives him life, although he has long since died. Not only does Petrarch revive Cicero and other ancient figures through his letters, but he also revives classical rhetoric and argumentative structures. In his writings, Petrarch implements the epistolary form and “presents his argument in the Ciceronian manner,” which debates topics from opposing points of view (Schildgen 121). By using ancient rhetoric and writing to the classical figures who used this rhetoric, Petrarch pays homage to the figures of antiquity, which constitutes one of the main ideals of humanism..