The Renaissance

Classic Works vs. Modern Works

The Renaissance• Renaissance – means rebirth

• For Europeans it meant a resurgence or to revisit the classic Greek & Roman literature and art.

• If we were to have a Renaissance here what artwork, literature, music would we refer back to.

Renaissance: What is it?

• 1. A time of great intellectual and artistic achievement

• 2. Word means “rebirth”… it is a rebirth of ideas from ancient Greece and Rome

• 3. Unlike during Middle Ages (Medieval Times), there was a desire for change, a questioning of the way things were

The Middle Ages (Medieval period)

• Time:– 5th century to about 14th century

• Place:– Europe

• Characteristics:– Church and tradition are focal points– Standard of living is low, so most people are

just trying to get by, not excel– Little interest in new things (learning, art, etc.)– Attitude: Life stinks, then you die and

(hopefully) go to heaven– Individual person isn’t too important

The Renaissance: When and where

• When:– 1300s to

1600s• Where:– Started in

Italy, spread throughout Europe

Renaissance: Key aspects

• 1. Supporting the arts (with money, time)

• 2. Admiration for individual achievement

• 3. Should lead a meaningful life (life is not just preparation for afterlife)

• 4. Humans have dignity and worth• 5. Education is important; be critical

and question things

Renaissance: Why?• 1. Catholic church lost power

– Crusades• Series of battles between Christians and Muslims

between 1095 and 1272 for control of the Holy Land

• Muslims won• A lot of nobles left to fight in crusades, which

allowed a little more freedom for ordinary people– Church also started to look bad in other ways

• Pope moved to France for 68 years (Babylonian Captivity)

• Great Schism (1377-1417) – two or even three popes at one time

– Criticism of church increased, and now people were starting to think more for themselves, and less just in what the church told them

Renaissance: Why?

• 2. Black Death– Plague (caused by

bacteria spread by fleas) spread throughout Europe in 1300s, killing 1/3 of population (up to 75% in some areas, like Italy)

– Complete upheaval of society• improved life for

survivors?• Decreased power of

church and feudal system• Led to “new wealth” and

a desire to show it off

Renaissance: Why?

• 3. Trade and money– Trade in Europe

increased, which made people richer, giving them more time and money to devote to the arts

– And this increased contact with other civilizations, leading to curiosity and envy at what they had

– Medici family in Italy specifically supported the arts with lots of money

Renaissance: Why?

• 4. Printing Press– In about 1450, Johannes

Gutenberg became first European to use movable type to print books• Initial reaction was

skeptical– By 1475, printing presses

were in England, France, Germany, Italy

– Allowed for ideas to spread a lot quicker

Renaissance: Why should we care?

• 1. Changed the world’s way of thinking• 2. Some of the art/music/literature is widely

known and appreciated today• 3. Caused chain reaction of change (Scientific

Revolution, exploration, inventions, start of democracies, etc.)