The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini History Assignment (Essay Sample)

From the autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini, it is evident that people in Italy in the 16th century lived a life bound by strong family ties. Children were born to families comprising of a father and a mother; these families lived together under ordinary circumstances. (Cellini, p10).The Florentines took discipline into much consideration, and anyone who was going against the accepted rules and values received punishment by being banished for a period until they had changed their ways. The parents of the bride and the bridegroom arranged marriages between their children without the prior knowledge of the wedding couples. At the time, children were respectful to their parents and always carried on the instructions of their parents. Career wise, parents dictated what their children could do with most of them turning to music and arts. (Cellini, p15). Just like any other societies, there were disagreements between people that eventually led to wars and as a result, deaths of individuals. Also, families of the time faced different crisis including diseases and financial constraints with the family members coming together in solving such problems.
The political situation in Italy at the time of Cellini was unstable with warring parties involved in the fight for power. (Cellini, p 126). There were divisions of the inhabitants of Florence into political and social classes with others considered more superior. The rulers of Italy at this time impose their powers on the people to the extent that others have to flee their homes to seek refuge from the neighboring territories. To support the government and the rulers, the residents have to pay taxes and be loyal to the leaders. Sometimes, the leaders of Italy at the time made administrative errors that led to the loss of lives and property.
In the land of Florence and Siena in the 16th century, most of the inhabitants were religious, with the religious leader, the pope being respected by all. At a time, Cellini worked for the Pope with other staff who were always there for his convenience. At the time, the actions of the people were judged according to their religious beliefs. Since most of them were serious believers, though, with different faiths, they at all times tried to convince one, the others on the superiority of their own believes. The people attended the religious functions each day as per the programs put forth by the religious leaders. (Cellini, p 4). The people were, therefore, free to express their religious beliefs without the fear of victimization. Others were considered more sacred by the way they carried themselves in their everyday activities.
The Florentines engaged themselves in work of arts that they strived to pass it down generations. (Cellini, p 131). People who with gifts in arts were highly respected for their skills and every parent encouraged their children to learn techniques. Further, art was a source of income for tho...