Humanism
Renaissance art was driven by a new notion of
humanism. Man began to take interest in his own world rather than the other
world. View of literature was predominantly ethical. The moral teaching
was secular, not religious. Man began to perceive the positive aspects, his
dignity and value rather than the dark and sinful side.
The spirit of
discovery and adventure
The influence of the
spirit of discovery and adventure runs through the Renaissance literature. In
Shakespeare’s England ocean became the highway of national progress. The spirit
of adventure is clearly seen in the renaissance drama. Shakespeare’s The
Tempest, Pericles, Merchant of Venice Marlow’s Dr. Faustus, and Tamburlaine
etc. are some examples. This spirit helped to create a general tendency to
explore all aspects of nature and the world.
The Revival of
Classical Learning
Plato and Aristotle
lend immense influence on the renaissance. The revival of classical works and
authors influenced to mold and shift the style and technique of literature. Thomas
More’s Utopia and Francis Bacon’s New Atlantis have introduced new plot and
theme to literature.
Scientific Outlook
The scientific spirit
got changed with the publication of Copernicus’ “On the Revolution of the
Celestial Spheres” in 1543. The Copernican system replaced astrology with
astronomy. Science and art were intermingled in the early renaissance with
artists like Da Vinci entering the field of medicine, aerodynamics, anatomy
etc. The previously held truths were questioned and new results were sought in
this period of scientific advancement
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