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The Renaissance. Classic Works vs. Modern Works. The Renaissance. Renaissance – means rebirth For Europeans it meant a resurgence or to revisit the classic Greek & Roman literature and art. If we were to have a Renaissance here what artwork, literature, music would we refer back to.
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The Renaissance • Renaissance – means rebirth • For Europeans it meant a resurgence or to revisit the classic Greek & Roman literature and art. • If we were to have a Renaissance here what artwork, literature, music would we refer back to. Modern Art Classic Art Modern Literature Classic Literature
Renaissance: What is it? • 1. A time of great intellectual and artistic achievement • 2. Word means “rebirth”… it is a rebirth of ideas from ancient Greece and Rome • 3. Unlike during Middle Ages (Medieval Times), there was a desire for change, a questioning of the way things were
The Middle Ages (Medieval period) • Time: • 5th century to about 14th century • Place: • Europe • Characteristics: • Church and tradition are focal points • Standard of living is low, so most people are just trying to get by, not excel • Little interest in new things (learning, art, etc.) • Attitude: Life stinks, then you die and (hopefully) go to heaven • Individual person isn’t too important
The Renaissance: When and where • When: • 1300s to 1600s • Where: • Started in Italy, spread throughout Europe
Renaissance: Key aspects • 1. Supporting the arts (with money, time) • 2. Admiration for individual achievement • 3. Should lead a meaningful life (life is not just preparation for afterlife) • 4. Humans have dignity and worth • 5. Education is important; be critical and question things
Renaissance: Why? • 1. Catholic church lost power • Crusades • Series of battles between Christians and Muslims between 1095 and 1272 for control of the Holy Land • Muslims won • A lot of nobles left to fight in crusades, which allowed a little more freedom for ordinary people • Church also started to look bad in other ways • Pope moved to France for 68 years (Babylonian Captivity) • Great Schism (1377-1417) – two or even three popes at one time • Criticism of church increased, and now people were starting to think more for themselves, and less just in what the church told them
Renaissance: Why? • 2. Black Death • Plague (caused by bacteria spread by fleas) spread throughout Europe in 1300s, killing 1/3 of population (up to 75% in some areas, like Italy) • Complete upheaval of society • improved life for survivors? • Decreased power of church and feudal system • Led to “new wealth” and a desire to show it off
Renaissance: Why? • 3. Trade and money • Trade in Europe increased, which made people richer, giving them more time and money to devote to the arts • And this increased contact with other civilizations, leading to curiosity and envy at what they had • Medici family in Italy specifically supported the arts with lots of money
Renaissance: Why? • 4. Printing Press • In about 1450, Johannes Gutenberg became first European to use movable type to print books • Initial reaction was skeptical • By 1475, printing presses were in England, France, Germany, Italy • Allowed for ideas to spread a lot quicker
Renaissance: Why should we care? • 1. Changed the world’s way of thinking • 2. Some of the art/music/literature is widely known and appreciated today • 3. Caused chain reaction of change (Scientific Revolution, exploration, inventions, start of democracies, etc.)