World Civilization

Running head : World Civilization

World Civilization : Exploring the Renaissance

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Renaissance period refers to the rebirth of the society during the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries . The different aspects of changes that the Renaissance has brought to the European society shall be discussed in the succeeding sections of this . The changes , whether social political , and cultural shall also be explored . The prominent people like Machiavelli , Desiderius Erasmus and their works that have contributed in the different fields in this period shall be indicated for the better

understanding of the . The prominent themes of this period , developments , and influencing factors shall be explored upon The effects of the Renaissance that continually affects the institutions until the present day settings shall also be determined

World Civilization : Exploring the Renaissance

Renaissance , as it is used by the scholars , describes the cultural achievements of the fourteenth through the sixteenth centuries . These achievements had been brought about by the earlier centuries . Some Italians in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries believed that they are already experiencing a new era . This realization gave an impact to a poet and humanist Francesco Petrarch . He believed that a new golden age of intellectual achievement , with this , a French word which came into English word flourished . This is known as the Renaissance

Intellectual Hallmarks of the Renaissance

The distinctive characteristics of renaissance in terms of the intellectual aspects are discussed below . These characteristics have flourished in the existence of this period of revival . Renaissance intellectuals have developed a new sense of historical distance and some important poets , and artists believed they were living a new age (McKay et al ,

.470

Individualism

The Renaissance period gave rise to many distinctive individuals . This stressed personality , genius , uniqueness , and the holistic development of capabilities and talents . To reach their potential , a person needs to have that thirst for fame and an extreme desire that will deserve as a driving or motivating force (McKay et al ,

.470 . Renaissance architecture focused on individualism . In this period , a new type of artist rise , they are presently known as architects . Some of the known people are Michelangelo , who designed the Cupola at St . Peter 's at Rome Sir Christopher Wren and many prominent people whose works are appreciated in our society until the present are also known people in the field of architecture (Platt and Drummond ,

.221

Humanism

Upon considering both the Medieval and Renaissance humanists , one can differentiate that Renaissance humanists were more self-conscious about what they were doing and they put more emphasis on the realization of human potential . Desiderius Erasmus is considered as the best humanist Among the leading humanists were the rhetoricians , who were seeking for effective oral and written communication . The on the other hand drew their attention on the ancient Latin . However , they became more focused on the form , and not how the content was expressed (McKay et al ,

.471 Platt and Drummond ,

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Secular Spirit

The concern of this...