Renaissance

Definition

The simplest definition to explain renaissance is as "the period of new growth of interest and activity in tghe aereas of art, literature, and ideas in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries,'' as described by the Cambridge dictionary (1).

The term refers to resoring and revival of the Antiquity’s culture and way of living/seeing the world.

"In the 13th century, Italian authors began writing in their native vernacular language rather than in Latin, French, or Provençal. The earliest Renaissance literature appeared in 14th century Italy; Dante, Petrarch, and Machiavelli are notable examples of Italian Renaissance writers. From Italy the influence of the Renaissance spread across Europe; the scholarly writings of Erasmus and the plays of Shakespeare can be considered Renaissance in character." (3)

Characteristic features:

• more emphasis on the individual - real protagonist with a real story to tell (2),

• less emphasis on the religion (even though it still remained a part of it) (2),

• humanism - placed greater emphasis on rational thought (2),

• dominant forms: poem and drama (tragedy and comedy) (4),

• imitation of art with the hope to change reality thorugh it (4),

• "the writer reflected an spirit of exploration that was going on throughout the world." (4)                                                                

Renaissance authors and works:

• William Shakespeare - not only important works, but also contribution to language:

  • 37 plays (Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, Midsummer’s Night Dream, Much Ado about nothing,...), 154 sonnets,

  • idioms (break the ice, to wear one's heart on thier sleeve,...), words (bedazzled,...),

  • the most famous author of the Renaissance period (if not of all times).

• Nicholas Machiavelli - most famous work: the Prince,

• Miguel de Cervantes - Don Quixote,

• Edmund Spenser - most significant work: The Faerie Queen,

• Francesco Petrarca - Sonnets (Petrarchean sonnet). (4)

Resources and reference:

(1) Cambridge Dictionary. "Renaissance". https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/renaissance 

(2) Study.com. "Renaissance literature| Characteristics & authors". May, 26, 2022, https://study.com/learn/lesson/renaissance-literature-poetry-authors-characteristics.html 

(3) Lumen Learning. "Literature in the Reinassance|World civilizations I", https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-fmcc-boundless-worldhistory/chapter/literature-in-the-renaissance/ 

(4) Manuel Campos. "A guide to Renaissance literature". EnglishPost.org,  Jul, 6, 2023, https://englishpost.org/literary-movements-renaissance/ 

(5) Somers, Jeffrey. "The Renaissance Writers Who Shaped the Modern World." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/top-renaissance-writers-4156665

Jen Chan. "Understanding Renaissance Literature: Context & Concepts". Aug, 7, 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gFnBgJLwJI