What are key facts on Renaissance?

The increasing wealth, wider travel, and a greater knowledge of the outside world led to a new philosophy and outlook on life which is collectively called Renaissance. Up till now, the inspiration was mainly from the Church to have a better life in the heaven, now the man was interested in the earthly affairs and having a better life here in this world only, in which he lived. Thus, the Renaissance was the rebirth of the human spirit. This rebirth of the human spirit was reflected in the art, the architecture, the literature, the music, a new interest in learning and scientific discovery, the rediscovered curiosity about the world bringing exploration and discovery, and in new political ideas. This new philosophy which was human-centered and emphasized human reason, was called humanism and dominated the period of the Renaissance.

The Renaissance did not come quickly or easily but for many centuries, much of the history of Europe saw a constant clash between the old traditions of the middle Ages and the new ways of the modern world.

Key Facts On renaissance

• Renaissance was not a political or religious movement because man continued to be obedient to the church, kings and other lords. However, his outlook changed. The changed outlook came in the aftermath of Crusades and culminated in the wealth of the new middle class. It was manifested in the way they lived, the way they thought, the way the spoke and the way they expressed themselves in art and literature. Man was now not interested in the blessed existence in heaven desperately wanted to establish their paradise on this planet and in this life. And they were successful to a great extent in doing so. Thus, Renaissance was a state of mind.
• In contrast with the medieval scholastic mode, the Renaissance was characterised by Humanism, which was not a philosophy but a method of learning of five humanities: poetry, grammar, history, moral philosophy and rhetoric.
• The Renaissance represents a cultural rebirth from the 14th through the middle of the 17th centuries. It is not characterised or known by wars but by the movements in the humanities catalysed by the rediscovery of ancient texts and the invention of printing, which democratized learning and allowed a faster propagation of ideas.