Question

Explain in detail the developments in the field of literature during the renaissance period. Quote examples to support your answer.

Answer 1

Instructions:

• Mention the features of Renaissance literature.
• Detail about the humanist elements in the literature and the contribution of Petrarch.
• Give the names of the prominent people and the works across Europe during the period.

Solution:

• Features of Renaissance literature:
  • The theme of literature of this period was worldly matters rather than religion. Several articles were written about the human body, voice and other subjects. Though Italy was the motherland of great writers, other European countries such as France, England, Germany and Spain made significant contributions to literature. The works of this period were majorly in regional languages rather than in Latin.
• Contributions of Petrarch:
  • Petrarch is referred to as the Father of the Renaissance. He collected several Latin and Greek manuscripts and created a repository. His poems and sonnets were noteworthy. His poem Africa is his famous poem. A sense of deep contemplation of man’s happiness and sorrow can be found in his poems.
• Significant works in Renaissance literature:
  • Italian writer Bocacchio wrote a collection of 100 stories called Decameron. Divine comedy was written by another Italian writer Dante. Spanish writer Cervantes wrote the famous Don Quixote. There were several English works such as Utopia and Canterbury Tales. William Shakespeare was an excellent poet and dramatist who wrote numerous tragedies and comedies.