NEB English Grade 11: Why Is the Renaissance Important?

Unit 11 Arts and Creation

“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.” – George Bernard Shaw

READING

Why Is the Renaissance Important?

BEFORE YOU READ

a. Why is this painting famous for?

b. Name any three famous writers/artists of Nepal. Also describe why they are famous for.

Now read the following article about the changes that occurred in the Renaissance period.

During the Middle Ages (from about 500 C.E. to the mid-1400s) there were no great changes in the way of life in Europe. People did what their forefathers did before them, and there were few new inventions or discoveries. Most people believed in what they were told and did not care about anything outside their lives. One reason for this may be because only a few people received an education, and books were scarce. Then, a change began. People became better educated, trade and industry developed, the arts flourished, and explorers discovered new lands. We call this great change the Renaissance, which in French means “rebirth”. The Renaissance, which took place in Europe between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries, was a new stage in the history of the world.

Some people think that the Renaissance got started when the Turks took over the Greek city Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1453. Greek scholars left Constantinople and settled in other parts of Europe. In these new locations, they taught Greek and shared their precious books. The study of classical Greek and Roman writers and thinkers began again, and a new desire for learning spread throughout Europe.

People began to inquire into everything, and some began to question their beliefs and ways of thinking. In Germany, Martin Luther started a revolt against the conventions of the Roman Catholic Church. Soon, other Christians agreed that the Church needed to change, and several new Christian religions were established.

Other people began to think about new types of government that were based on the democratic values of ancient Greece. Italy, the birthplace of the Renaissance, was organized into city-states that governed themselves. Though wealthy families and the Church held much of the power in these areas, the city-states were moving a step in the direction of government by the people. The most famous political thinker of the Renaissance was Niccolo Machiavelli. In his book on government entitled The Prince, he stated that a good leader could do bad and dishonest things in order to preserve his power and protect his government. Though people in his own time thought that Machiavelli was evil for saying these things, his book is now famous and modern political thinkers respect some of his ideas.

The “new learning” taught people to think in new ways, and it also encouraged gifted people to paint pictures, make statues and buildings, and write great literature. In fact, some of the best artists of the day did all of these things. As a result, when a person today is skilled in many areas, he or she is often called a “Renaissance man” or a “Renaissance woman”.

The artistic developments of the Renaissance first happened in the Italian city of Florence, and then they spread to other Italian cities. As a result of trade and banking, cities like Florence, Venice, and Milan became very wealthy, and their rich citizens had both the time and money to enjoy music, art, and poetry. These cities produced great painters and sculptors, like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael. These artists created some of history’s finest works of art. For example, Michelangelo spent four years painting thousands of feet of curved ceiling in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. To do this, he had to learn a whole new style of painting. He also had to paint lying on his back beneath the ceiling as paint dripped down onto his face. Despite these obstacles, he created one of art’s greatest masterpieces.

A new kind of architecture also began in the Renaissance. It blended the old, classical styles with new ideas. Again, it started in Florence. A cathedral had been started in 1296, but it remained unfinished for over 100 years because no one could figure out how to build the curved roof that it needed. Then architect Filippo Brunelleschi invented a new type of dome that was higher and grander than any from the classical era. The dome marks the beginning of Renaissance architecture.

From Italy, interest in the arts and new ways of thinking spread to other countries. The Netherlands became famous for great painters; England produced many writers, including William Shakespeare; and Spain had the literature of Cervantes. The new English: Grade 11 101 passion for learning also led to amazing discoveries in science by Galileo, Kepler, and Newton. Some of these findings went against the most basic beliefs of the time. For example, Galileo’s discovery that the sun, not the Earth, was the centre of the solar system got him into serious trouble with many religious people. They forced him to say that he had been wrong about his discovery, even though he knew he was right.

The development of the printing press in Germany by a man named Johannes Gutenberg helped more than anything to spread the new ideas of the Renaissance. Before that time, books were scarce and very expensive because they were written by hand. Gutenberg discovered how to use a moveable metal type, and his first book was published in 1455. Printing was a very important invention. With it, books were made more cheaply and quickly than ever. In addition, most books had been written in Latin before, as this was thought to be the language of study. However, with the Renaissance, the middle classes could now afford books, and they wanted books in their own languages. They also wanted a greater variety of things to read, such as books on travel, poetry, and romance. Printing helped make the works of the best writers and all kinds of knowledge available to all.

About the time printing was discovered, sailors were setting out on voyages of discovery. Now that the Turks were masters of the eastern Mediterranean, it was no longer possible to trade with India by the old land route. A new way had to be found, perhaps by sailing around the coast of Africa or perhaps by sailing around the world! There were many explorers around this time, including Columbus, Vasco de Gama, Cabot, Magellan, and Drake. Representing countries throughout Europe, these men sailed new waters and discovered new lands, including the Americas. With all this travel, tools for exploration and navigation improved, and better ships were made. As people traveled, they gained new ideas that helped to change their way of living. For example, Europeans now wanted goods—such as spices, silk, and gold—from far away countries.

The Renaissance didn’t begin suddenly when Constantinople was taken over by the Turks or when the first book was printed in 1455. Forces that brought it about had been developing for many years as Europeans began to desire and gain new knowledge. From this new learning came the great changes that we call the Renaissance. These advancements—from the discovery of printing to a renewed interest in art and literature and the discovery of new lands—affected almost every area of European life. They also formed the basis for many parts of our modern life and beliefs. This is why some people think of the Renaissance as the beginning of modern history.

Broukal Milada

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