The Renaissance T he Renaissance refers to the period in European civilization towards the end of the Middle Ages, which was characterized by a surge of interest in classical learning and values. 1. The origin of the Renaissance The Renaissance emerged when social instability, economic sluggishness and intellectual depression became so intolerable that most of the people, especially the intellectuals could no longer accept the worsening situation. The Renaissance as a movement first started in Florence and then expanded to Venice, Rome and other Italian cities before it swept the rest parts of Europe. Painting and sculpture were the most sensitive fields to the change with their subjects and tastes, shifting from dullness, stagnation, lack of emotion and divinity to dynamics, enthusiasm and humanitarianism. Literature and ideology soon followed as other important areas proceeded and the movement further separated itself from feudalistic tyranny, ecclesiastic bondage and sought intellectual freedom and ideological emancipation. 2. The characteristics of the Renaissance The Renaissance is characterized by seeking ideological emancipation, intellectual freedom and political awareness, based on cultural production and religious reformation. All these were undertaken or unfolded gradually but widely, extending its influences to every corner of Europe, with more and more people getting involved. The achievements were seen principally in six areas, namely, painting, sculpture, poetry, fiction, drama and religious reformation as well as the change in the cultural and intellectual climate. 3. The influence of the Renaissance The Renaissance was an important stage in the historical process of the Western civilization and indic...
