Courage- Brunelleschi's Dome

Courage: the ability to do something in the face of fear, danger and/or disapproval. Brunelleschi, the architect of the dome on top of the Santa Maria del Fiore church, was making plans to create something never done before. He was designing the biggest free standing dome without scaffolding. At the time, it was a great risk, and needed creativity, and virtuosity, but most of all he would need courage. Courage to keep on going with his idea that was frowned upon by most, laughed at and mocked. When he was thrown out of the magistrates meeting to see who would construct the dome, it must have taken a lot of courage to continue with his plans after they were discouraged. It then led him to wait a little longer, where he would accept the challenge to stand an egg on it's top, without support. He figured that he could crack the bottom of the egg lightly and it would stand and it did. So Brunelleschi broke through the 'egg' of society with courage and never looked back. He was then commissioned to build the dome. Even though he knew it would be hard he was courageous and persisted and in 1436 the dome was completed. It had never been done, so at the time, it was a marvel and inspired many other young artists and architects. Courage helped Brunelleschi prove his ideas, pitch them, and complete them. No wonder this genius made history! The actions of the architect helped effect the change that was so prominent in the renaissance, because many others were influenced. Change was from courage, of many brave renaissance rule-breakers and risk-takers.