Age of Renassaince Essay -- essays research papers

The Renaissance, which began in Italy in the fourteenth century, was a period of great change in art, culture, and science. The word Renaissance means rebirth. Many of the greatest artists in history, such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, lived during this period, but did not follow the trends of society. Great artist like Michelangelo and da Vinci began their own trends based on personal experience and beliefs. Renaissance's society was very different from feudal society of the Middle Ages. There are many contrasts in the ideals and values of the Renaissance and of the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages was a time of great suffering, including famine and wide spread disease. The Renaissance, however, was a revival of art, learning, and literature. The purpose of life was viewed differently during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. During "The Age of Faith," or the Middle Ages, man's purpose was to serve God. Life was a journey. The life of highest value was the contemplative life, a life devoted to God. In sharp contrast, man's purpose during the Renaissance was to exercise virtue, or the excellence as a man. During the Renaissance, towns in southern Europe had grown greatly in size. The wealthy people who lived in Renaissance society had more leisure time and money than did those of the Middle Ages. This meant they could spend more time studying new ideas and had could afford to patronize the arts. During the Renaissance, people ...