ChapterRenaissance.ppt

Chapter 4 Renaissance I General Introduction II Renaissance in Italy 1 Historical Background 2. The Rise of Humanism 3. New Literature 4. Renaissance Art III. Renaissance in other Countries IV. Science and Technology I. General Introduction Time Span Renaissance as a period in western civilization may be explained in different ways. But generally speaking, it refers to the period between the 14th and mid 17thcentury. Definition of Renaissance The word “Renaissance” means revival, especially in this period of history, revival of interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture. Renaissance ,therefore, in essence, was a historical period in which the European humanist thinkers and scholars made attempt to get rid of conservatism in feudalist Europe and introduce new ideas that expressed the interests of the rising bourgeoisie, to lift the restrictions in all areas placed by the Roman church authorities. During the period of Renaissance, old sciences revived and new sciences emerged, national languages and national cultures free from the absolute control of the Papal authority in Rome took shape and art and literature flourished as never before. The absolute authority of the Roman Catholic Church was shaken and people in Europe came to a new awareness which was to help shape what Europe is today. Renaissance started in Florence and Venice with the flowering of paintings, sculpture and architecture. From Italy the movement went to embrace the rest of Europe. In different countries, however, the movement occurred in different periods with different emphasis. Where the impact with Italy was most strongly felt in fine arts, in France it was literature and in England it was philosophy and drama. II. Renaissance in Italy 1. Historical Background (1) Because of its geographical position, foreign trade developed early in Italy. (2) Beginning from the 11th century, cities began to rise in central and north Italy. (3) The country was divided into city-states tha