Question

Elaborate on the features of Renaissance.

Answer 1

Instructions:
List the features of the Renaissance and explain:

• Shift in fine arts, literature, and history from religious themes to humanist themes.
• Shift from Greek and Latin to regional languages like English, French, and Spanish.
• Shift from elites/scholars to commoners
• Humanism - philosophy of placing greater emphasis on human life
• Promotion of reasoning and enquiry.

Solution:
The fine arts, literature and history in the medieval period were focused on religious themes.

Works of art were mainly written in Greek and Latin which were then deemed scholarly and elite. However, in the early 13th century, regional languages like English, Spanish, and French gained popularity.

Since it was no longer in Greek and Latin, commoners could access literature. Also, the writers of this period adopted the life of commoners as their central theme.

Literature shifted from religious themes and philosophy to human themes. Even paintings, architecture and sculptures emphasized the need to value human emotions and dignity rather than religious beliefs. This philosophy of placing greater emphasis on human life is referred to as Humanism.

This spirit of humanism inspired thoughts inspired action and promoted reasoning and the spirit of enquiry.