- Divine Comedy - allegorical religious epic considered the greatest literary work to emerge from medieval thought and one of the great works of world literature
Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374)
- Sonnets (Canzoniere) – love sonnets addressed to beloved named Laura
- Emphasized individual self
- Revived study of classical literature
Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466–1536)
- "The Praise of Folly' 'satirical work criticized corruption within Catholic church
- Pious Christian Humanist - believed classical knowledge and philosophy important to spiritual advancement and understanding Christianity
- Prepared Europe for Northern Renaissance and contributed to the cultural forces at work during Protestant Reformation