This lesson introduces you to three French poets of the Renaissance—two of them friends and members of the Pléiade, and the third, a woman from Lyon. You will develop a better understanding of humanism and of the Renaissance as you study each poem. Poetry can be challenging—especially in a foreign language. If you read each poem and my commentary carefully, you will notice new levels of meaning. I encourage you (as always) to supplement my readings of the poems with your own thoughts and interpretations. While you do not have a formal writing assignment in this lesson, you may want to keep a reading journal of your impressions and thoughts for your own benefit.