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Renaissance
A. What was the Renaissance?
1.
'Renaissance' is a French word, meaning 'rebirth'.
It is because people became interested in
the ideas of the ancient Greeks and Romans.
2.
The Renaissance refers to the period from the 14th to 17th centuries in Europe.
B. Main Characteristics of the Renaissance
1.
The Renaissance thinkers and artists wanted to bring back the art and learning of the ancient
Greeks and Romans. It is because the civilizations in these times were splendid.
2.
The Renaissance artists and writers believed in Humanism. Human beings are important.
Their works were not only about religion, but also about human thoughts and feelings.
3.
People began to question the old ways of thinking. They were not afraid of breaking old rules
and unreasonable thoughts.
C. Causes of the Renaissance
1.
Declining influence of the Church
(a) During the medieval times, the Christian Church was very powerful in Europe. People had
to accept what the Church told them, and they were not allowed to think freely.
(b) In the late medieval times, the influence of the Christian Church declined.
People could
express their ideas freely.
2.
Improvement in Printing
(a) In Medieval Times people had to copy books by hands. So books are very precious.
(b) In the late medieval times, a German called Gutenberg (古騰堡) invented a movable type
printing press (活字版印刷機). Since printing was improved, books became very common
in the Renaissance.
3.
New ideas could now spread more quickly and easily.
Rich Merchants Support
In some Italian city-states, rich merchants spent large sums of money on paintings, books and
sculptures.
They built libraries and employed famous artists to work for them.
This helped
the development of arts.
4.
Rise of Universities
In the late medieval times, Monasteries were no longer the only centres of education. Many
schools and universities had started to provide education for the people.
People could learn
new ideas and questioned unreasonable Church teachings.
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D. Major achievements during the Renaissance
Literature
During the medieval times, most of the books were about religion and they were written in Latin. In
the Renaissance, writers told stories about human beings.
They wrote in their own native
languages. They wrote many beautiful poems, plays and novels.
Art and Architecture
1. Art
Renaissance art is realistic, colourful and rich in details.
Medieval Art
Theme
It was about religion.
Renaissance Art
It was about nature and everyday
characters and things.
Techniques

Its colours were simple

Its colours were rich

Its style is more boring and

Its style is more realistic and
old-fashioned.
lively..
2. Architecture
Renaissance architects took ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings. They used a lot of
tall columns and large, round domes.
Medieval Architecture
Style
It was known as the Gothic
Renaissance Architecture
It was known as the Roman Style.
Style..
Features

It had pointed arches..

It had high Roman arches.

It had tall pointed towers.

It had round dome

Its windows were coloured..

Its pillars were tall..
Science
In the medieval times, people accepted what the Christian Church told them. They asked few
questions. During the Renaissance, some scientists dared to question the teachings of the Church.
They tried to find out the truth by carrying out experiments. They made important discoveries in
science. They also made advances in medicine.
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E. Important Figures of the Renaissance
Area
Painting
Figure
Major Works/Inventions

The Mona Lisa, The Last Super
Raphael

The School of Athens, The Transfiguration
Michelangelo
 The Last Judgement
Leonardo Da
Vinci
Painting and
Sculpture
Literature
 The Pieta, The David
Dante
 The Divine Comedy
Shakespeare
 The Merchants of Venice
 Romeo and Juliet
Astronomy
Copernicus
 Heliocentric Theory
Science
Galileo
 Telescope
Medicine
Vesalius
 Seven Books on the Structure of the Human Body
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