By: Ashley Almquist
What was the Renaissance? | When and where did the Renaissance begin?
Influences of the Renaissance | Art and Architecture | Music | Literature | Math and Science
How the Renaissance affects us. | Works Cited
The Renaissance means "rebirth" and refers to the period after the Middle Ages. The Renaissance period was named this because of an interest in Greek and Roman writing was revived . There was also more of an emphasis of people being individuals. With the invention of the printing press and reopening trade routes between China and Europe, the world experienced economic, intellectual, and cultural growth. The ideas of the Renaissance period were very different from those of the middle ages.
When and where did the Renaissance begin?
The Renaissance period occurred from the fourteenth through the seventeenth century. The Renaissance began in Florence, Italy and spread throughout Europe during the 1300's and 1600's.
The most influential people in the Renaissance period were artists and writers because they spoke their feelings of society and politics through their work. These feelings changed many of the ideas of the residents of Europe. Their work also changed society's way of living. For example, many authors criticized the corrupt clergy which led to a church reformation. This reformation changed the church greatly.
Michelangelo di Buonarroti- Michelangelo was one of the master painters during the Renaissance. He was born in 1474 and died in 1564. Michelangelo was born in Florence, but he also lived in Rome and Bologna. He was hired to decorate many churches. His most known piece of art was the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. I chose Michelangelo because his work represented the ideas of the Renaissance time period.
Giovanni Palestrina- Giovanni Palestrina was born in 1525 and died in 1594. He lived in Palestrina and Rome. Giovanni made a book of the masses; the first book of masses by a native of the Italian States. I chose Giovanni Palestrina because he was a very important composer in the renaissance era. He is considered to be one of the great masters of music in the Renaissance time period.
William Shakespeare- William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and died in 1616. He lived in London, but he was born on Warwickshire, England. William wrote plays of tragedy and comedy. Shakespeare’s plays have been translated into every major language in the world. I chose William Shakespeare because his plays are known all around the world. He is one of the most quoted writers in the English world.
Leonardo da Vinci- Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452 and died in 1519. Da Vinci lived in Vinci, Italy. He studied the Anatomy of humans and drew many studies of the Human body. He also studied the anatomy of many other creatures. I chose Leonardo da Vinci because I see his drawings of the human body on many signs and posters. His drawings helped scientists discover more about the human body.
How the Renaissance affects us.
Many events, discoveries, and decisions in the renaissance affected our world today:
· Events- Many events held in the Renaissance affected our world today. For example, the Spanish Inquisition killed many Jews and Muslims in Europe. The church reformation also affected many of Europe’s churches and priests.
· Discoveries- The discoveries in the Renaissance time period also affected our world today. For example, a new invention was made: the printing press. Many discoveries of the universe were also made; Nicolas Copernicus discovered that the universe does not revolve around the Earth and Leonardo da Vinci made huge strides in science and made many new inventions to help the world.
· Decisions- Decisions in the Renaissance definitely affected our world today. For instance, a man named Martin Luther challenged church authorities and changed the ways of the Catholic Church. His ninety- five theses about the church changed many of the customs of the church. The Renaissance is important to the world today because people in that time made many important discoveries and works of art, literature, and music. Many strides were made during the Renaissance period.
"Renaissance." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation Inc.. 25 Apr 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance>.
Capistrano Elementary School , "Renaissance." 1450 - 1600. 25 Apr 2007 <http://web.empire.k12.ca.us/capistrano/Mike/capmusic/renaissance/renaissa.htm>.
Annenberg Media, "Renaissance." Annenberg Media Learner.org. 25 Apr 2007 <http://www.learner.org/exhibits/renaissance/>.
CDRom Textbook: World History Medieval to Early Modern Times, Student Edition, Stanley M. Burstein,Orlando,Holt, Rinehart and Winston,2006