Literature
The renaissance was an arousal from the ideas of the Middle Ages. New advances in science and technology began and the arts and literature took changes and gained favor. Literature took many changes in this era. Writers conveyed messages through writing, and helped literacy rates spread.
How Did the Change in Literature Happen?
In Florence, the "birthplace of the Renaissance", a writer named Dante Alighieri was one of the first writers to introduce some Renaissance ideas in his writings. Along with the ideas, Dante wrote in Italian, which differed from the usual Latin texts in the middle ages, making it easier to understand for the common folk. Many writers followed Dante's lead since then. The renewal of classical ideas, Greek and Roman art and texts were an important cause for the change in literature. When works of the ancient cultures was rediscovered, the ideas of the ancient civilization started playing a major role in the change from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Literature in the Renaissance almost mimicked Classical ideas. The Classical ideas focused on man. Most works of art from Ancient Greece or Rome can show the amount of perfection that Classical conveyed. In literature the dignity of man and Humanist ideas were usually used.
Medieval Literature versus Renaissance literature
In the medieval ages, literature was usually based on religion and fantasy. Monks usually hand wrote the text, limiting the exposure of literature to common folk, only the rich could have access to literature. Many pieces of literature were written in Latin. Soon the literature took a very big change. The ideas of the Greek and Roman focused on man, and the dignity and nobility a man can reach. These ideas were different than the ones in the Middle Ages, which told that man is sinful In the literature of the Renaissance, ideas shifted to humanism and more political views. Later on, writers focused more on the element of humanity, existence, and ethical values.
What Was Humanism in the Renaissance?
It is important to know that Humanism in the renaissance and in modern days are different. In the Renaissance Ancient Greek and Roman ideas inspired humanism to spread. So, to get to the point, humanism is the study of humanities, which emphasizes the individuality and dignity of someone. The citizenship and leadership in a community is another point in humanism. The ethical values of society and a person were something that many people highlighted. Humanism can be known if it stresses human, and not supernatural, at a main point. Reasoning and Creativity were something that humanism emphasizes. Humanities was also a study of academic subjects such as science, and literature. Grammar, poetry, and speaking. An example of a humanist is Petrarch, he put humanistic ideas in his literature to try to change the world and improve it. Other writers tried putting a message in their literature, most focused on politics. Humanism started spreading , scholars and students in Italy began to spread the ideas of humanism throughout Europe.
Characteristics of Literature in the Renaissance
Along with humanism in Renaissance literature, there were other characteristics in the literature. Political views and stories were incorporated in literature. Machiavelli, for example, wrote political ideas in his literature, such as in "The Prince". Many writers used Classical Antiquity, meaning they tried to "imitate" the classical art and literature. In this form, Roman and Greek characters were used. Shakespeare used many Roman or Greek characters in his dramas. Writers such as Shakespeare asked philosophical questions in their literature, usually focusing on real life, showing emotions like hope and deep compassion. Writers focused on reality and actual life, reflecting it in their literature. Though literature in the Renaissance was usually based on humanities, religious texts like the 95 theses, by Martin Luther, were published during the reformation. The texts were spread through Europe with help through the printing press. A religious reformation was forming, and literature was affected by that. With the invention of the printing press, literature was affected even more.
Other Facts
Literacy rates in the Middle Ages were less than the literacy rates in the Renaissance. With the invention of the printing press, people could have more access to books and writing, which helped improve the literature rates in the Renaissance. Speaking of spreading, the new literature in Italy spread to different countries and regions. In a way, every country or region had its own Renaissance. Literature in different regions was different. In conclusion, the Renaissance was a period of time in which many advances were made, literature was a key element that changed, literature that once used to be mostly religious focused more on humanities, which is a big leap towards "modern ideas."
Man has no greater enemy than himself.
What name to call thee by, O fair, I know not, for thy looks are not of earth And more than mortal seems thy countenances.
And tears are heard within the harp I touch.
Sameness is the mother of disgust, variety the cure. Suspicion is the cancer of friendship.
Often have I wondered with much curiosity as to our coming into this world and what will follow our departure.
True, we love life, not because we are used to living, but because we are used to loving. There is always some madness in love, but there is also always some reason in madness. There is no lighter burden, nor more agreeable than a pen. There is no lighter Burden nor more agreeable than a pen. Above is Literature in the Renaissance
------ This is an example of Renaissance work. This was by Petrarch, explaining humanistic ideas.
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.
Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider.
Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.
In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior.
Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes, and adversity is not without comforts and hopes.
There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.
It is impossible to love and to be wise.
Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.
In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.
Fame is like a river, that beareth up things light and swollen, and drowns things weighty and solid. ----- This is a piece of literature from Sir Francis Bacon