The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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c. 1290-c. 1350
Byzantine scholar who greatly influenced Western Europe's growing interest in Greek culture, which would blossom during the Renaissance. A humanist, Barlaam was distinguished by his strong opposition to Hesychasm, a radical mystic movement among the monks of the Byzantine Empire. From 1339 he served as Byzantine envoy to the court of Pope Benedict XII (r. 1334-42) at Avignon, and during this time he taught Greek to Petrarch (1304-1374). It was the latter who first used the term Renaissance to describe the changes taking place in thought and society at that time.