Renaissance
Renaissance is derived from French word which means rebirth or revival. This word was used to mean the revival of the Roman and the Greek art, architecture, literature, science, astronomy, philosophy, and Romanticism during the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. It began with the rediscovery of Greco-Roman civilization which had been neglected during the middle ages.
The Age of Renaissance
In the history of human civilization, the transition period between the Medieval age and Modern age is called the Age of Renaissance. It became an intellectual movement that spread from Italy to all over Europe. This period covers the niddle of the 14th century to the end of 16th century. During this period scholars, thinkers, philosophers, scientists, artists brought an intellectual awakening. They appealed and encouraged the people to have a new and rational approach towards life. All these contributed to the significant developments in the fields of art, architecture, science and geographical discovers that made the quality of human life far better. It focused attention upon secular society rather than the Medieval preoccupation with the church and religions affairs.
Renaissance Scholars and Literature
The renaissance scholars and writers dealt more with humanity than religion. That's why, they were called humanists. The great poet of Italy, Alighieri Dante (1265-1321) composed the famous epic, the Divine Comedy. In the Divine Comedy, Dante had satire the people of upper class. The other writers and scholars were Petrarch, Boccaccio and Niccole Machiavelli of Italy; Geoffrey Chaucer, Thomas More, Francis Bacon, Edmund Spenser, Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, William Shakespeare and John Milton of England; Montaigne, Francois Rabelais and John Calvin of France; Cervantes, Lope de Vega and Calderon of Spain; Desiderius Erasmus of Holland and Martin Luther of Germany. Before them, most of the literatures were written in Greek and Latin. But, they wrote in their native language and changed the age old tradition.Renaissance Music
Before renaissance, the music was basically religious or church oriented. It had religious meaning and purpose. During the renaissance period, it gradually got transformed from religious to humanity. In addition to vocal music, instrumental music also became popular. New musical instrument like Violin, flute etc. got introduced. Orchestral music and opera became very popular.
Scientific Inventions
The renaissance period saw a great inventions, new ideas and concepts. The monk and astronomer from Poland, Nicolas Copernicus proved that the earth, the moon and the planets moved around the sun. The Italian astronomer, Galileo (1564-1642) invented telescope. The British scientist, Sir Isaac Newton explained the laws of motion and gravitation. English Physician, William Harvey found out the blood circulation in the human body. Dutch Biologist Anton Van made a single lens microscope and discovered protozoa and bacteria in the human body. Besides these, many new things such as radio, printing press, camera, bicycle, motor, railways etc. were invented.
