The Renaissance was a cultural time period in history that was confined mostly to Europe, but that had far-reaching impacts on surrounding countries.  Starting roughly in the 14th century and lasting about 300 years. The Renaissance is viewed by many today as the link or bridge between the Middle Ages and what is termed the Modern Era (which includes the time period up to today).  While the Renaissance did not encompass the entirety of Europe, it is generally viewed as a European period of time that affected Western societies throughout the world both then and now.  The biggest cultural area affected by the Renaissance was art, but science, religion, and society were also greatly influenced.

Artistic Changes

The Middle Ages was the period in Europe right before the Renaissance.  During this time period, artistic subjects were overwhelmingly religious in nature and emphasized symbolism.  Because this time period was ruled by the Church, humanistic subjects were mostly shunned, and because God and religion could not be adequately pictured, symbolic scenes conveying religious ideals were the norm.  A most notable example is the Wilton Diptych, painted for King Richard II.  Renaissance art, on the other hand, became more linear and realistic.  Rather than what would appear to modern eyes as caricatures, Renaissance painters attempted to draw people and objects as they actually appeared.  Among the most famous Renaissance artists are Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.  This change in artistic representation persists today, and many of the most revered artists are ones that depict realistic beauty rather than abstract concepts.

Science

The Church controlled many aspects of society in the Middle Ages, including science.  If a scientific theory or postulate could not be made to fit what the Church felt was Godly and right, it was prohibited.  The Renaissance did away with that with the development of the Scientific Method (hypothesize, make predictions based on the hypothesis, gather data to test and experiment, evaluate the results, confirm or deny the hypothesis).  Using this method, which is still used to today and is the standard for all scientific discoveries, Renaissance scientists were able to make great contributions in astronomy, physics, and biology.  In fact, it was Nicolas Copernicus, a Renaissance scientist, who first proposed the heliocentric model (sun in the center, not the earth) of our solar system.  While his theory was denounced by the Church at the time, later astronomers, using the Scientific Method, were able to verify his discovery.  These later astronomers were none other than Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler (Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion).

Religion

The Renaissance period saw the emergence of humanism, a cultural and educational reform movement that, essentially, placed emphasis on taking care of people as humans and not just subjects or souls in transit on their way to eternity.  It was based on practical studies, which included medicine, law, and theology, and was taught from approved textbooks.  In other words, consensual standards were used to train people in professional occupations.  This had a great effect on the Church (Roman Catholic at that time), particularly following several scandals revolving around the papacy, including one notable instance where three different men claimed to be Pope all at the same time.  The Renaissance humanist approach said that man did not need an intermediary to speak to God.  This thinking led to Martin Luther and his “95 Theses,” as well as the Protestant Reformation.

Society

All of these changes had a lasting impact on society as well.  With changes in the way people viewed themselves and others (self-awareness), as well as changes in the way people viewed their relationship with God, the Church, and even their rulers, society saw itself transformed into one where individuals could make an impact on the world around them.  For the first time, people could question what they saw around them openly (mostly).  Artistic expression could depict not just scenes of religious import, but societal import, impressions of beauty, and ideals.  And creativity was at last allowed to flourish (this time period saw the emergence of such notable writers as William Shakespeare, John Milton, Francis Bacon, and Miguel de Cervantes, author of “Don Quixote”).

While changes in art are no longer quite as important as they once were, as well as changes in religious thinking, the scientific advancements of the time are the bases of many scientific achievements today.  Many people during the Renaissance viewed it as a time to look back at the accomplishments of ancient societies like the Greeks and Romans, but the Renaissance was so much more than a time period for reminiscing.  It was truly a monumental time in the Western world that moved society forward and paved the way for the world that exists today.