Literary means rebirth or revival. Importance to faith in the temporal world relating to earthly life, concerned with the present life, earthly joys and sorrows. Development of humanism –interest in this world, the progress of humans as opposed to religion., glorification of humans, defending man’s right to pleasure and satisfaction of earthly desires, importance of rationality, spirit of inquiry, appreciation of nature’s beauty, observation experiments, cause and effect relations. Renaissance lasted from the 14 to 16 centuries particularly from 1350 to 1550.

1. What was the Renaissance?

It was an intellectual, liberal, and cultural movement and critical as well as inventive tendencies were coming to the fore. The changes this period signify-

• Decline of feudalism
• Rise of nation-state
• Beginning of modern science
• Inventions of gunpowder, compass
• Discovery of new sea trade routes
• Introduction of primary capitalism

2. Causes of Renaissance 

Crusades:  Military expeditions undertaken in Europe to recover holy lands because of this Europeans came in contact with enlightened people of the East. Crusades encouraged voyages and the study of geography, crusaders met strange people and got new ideas from them. Aristotle’s scientific books, Arabic numerals, and algebra reached Western Europe

Commercial Prosperity:  European businessmen came to know about new ideas and progressive elements when they travelled across many countries in connection with business Development of business built new cities like Venice, Milan, and Florence, they became centres of international trade and businessmen and tourists from different countries frequently visited there leading to the exchange of ideas. The business created wealth and wealth created a desire for learning. Big businessmen became patrons of art and gave shelter to scholars Business class criticised the church and tried to reduce its importance. 

Paper and the Printing Press: Europeans learnt paper-making from Arabs. Johann Guttenberg of Germany invented a type machine, Now books were printed in large numbers at low cost. With this dissemination of knowledge through books, superstitions and orthodox practices weakened. 

Capture of Constantinople by Turks: In 1453 Turks captured Constantinople the capital of the East Roman Empire, with East Roman Empire fell, thousands of Greek scholars, philosophers and artists migrated from Constantinople to Italy, France, Germany, and England. These intellectuals took with them the science of ancient Rome and Greece

Rise of the Mongolian Empire: The Mongolian state council was graced by cardinals of the pope, Buddhist monks, mathematicians, and astrologers. So East and West came in contact, exchanged views and learning

3. Why did the Renaissance Begin in Italy?

• The atmosphere of liberal and free thinking was conducive to sowing the seeds of Renaissance
• Italy was a famous commercial centre where traders brought goods from Asia and sold them in Italy and from Italy goods were sent to Europe
• Commercial activities leading to the establishment of big cities and cities provided the backdrop for the Renaissance for they had museums, public libraries theatres
• The bourgeoisie (business or middle class) emerged out of prosperity and they violated conventions
• Businessman patronize artists and literary persons
• Italy was the place of ancient Roman civilization, many monuments of ancient Rome civilization reminded people of the grandeur
• Some popes brought great scholars to Rome and got the Greek manuscripts translated into Latin.
• Growth of business necessitated a new trend in education which emphasised vocational and geographical knowledge
• When Turks captured Constantinople, a large number of fugitives Greek scholars, artists and businessmen took shelter in Italy

4. Characteristics of Renaissance

• Logical rational thinking
• Interest in human life, accept the importance of human life and improve it. In the modern period, Petrarch is supposed to be the originator of humanism. Petrarch –father of Italian Renaissance literature.
• Empiricism-relying on experiments for the validity of thought
• Individualism-self satisfaction, pride in self-satisfaction.
• Emphasis on temporal outlook
• Reformation of religion
• Modern scientific outlook

Architecture: A new style was born which was a blend of Greek, Roman and Arabian styles, Arches, cupolas and columns were prominent. Round arches were built. Lubre Palace in Paris, St Paul Cathedral in London and Escorial Palace in Spain are matchless monuments of the Renaissance architecture

Sculpture: Lorenzo Gipperti, Donatello, and Michael Angelo were great sculptors of that period. Literature-Thomas Moore Utopia, Calvin-Institutes of Christian Religion, Crammer-Book of Common Prayer.

5. Significance 

• Advent of the age of reason and scientific outlook
• Scientific inventions and discoveries
• Impetus to the growth of arts-paintings, architecture, music
• Growth of vernacular languages and vernacular literature
• Promoted the spirit of nationalism and paved the way for the rise of nation-states
• Geographical discoveries promoted trade and industries in national income –rise in the standard of living –rise in the middle class