Renaissance Dbq

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The Renaissance Effect The Renaissance was a period of rebirth and revival for a fractured Europe. This period began around 1400 AD and lasted until approximately 1700. During this time, the Renaissance spread from its origins in Italy to Northern and Western Europe. It transformed a fragmented and declining society into a thriving civilization. The Renaissance changed man's view of himself through advancements in art, literature, the universe, and medicine. The first way the Renaissance changed man's view of man was through advancements in art. People began to recognize and take pride in their ability to create beautiful and expressive works. During the Middle Ages, art was predominantly two-dimensional, simplistic, and focused on religious …show more content…

It altered man's perception of themselves. While the Middle Ages saw writings predominantly focused on religion, the Renaissance witnessed a shift towards literature celebrating the greatness of man. In Document B, we encounter two poetic excerpts—one from the Middle Ages and one from the Renaissance—highlighting the contrast between religious themes and the celebration of human greatness. This demonstrates the rising confidence in humanity portrayed through literary works. The Renaissance's emphasis on the greatness of man in literature signifies a significant shift in human perception and self-confidence. The third way the Renaissance changed man's view of himself was through advancements in understanding the universe. As men became more knowledgeable in this field, they began to drift away from the Catholic Church and its teachings, recognizing them as false. Before the Renaissance, the prevailing belief upheld by the church was in a geocentric universe, where Earth was considered the central point. However, Document C illustrates Copernicus's groundbreaking discovery, which revealed that the sun occupies the center of the solar …show more content…

During the Dark Ages, medical understanding was often intertwined with supernatural beliefs, whereas the Renaissance allowed science and facts to come into play. Document D provides an example of Andreas Vesalius, a researcher who conducted dissections of human corpses to gain a deeper understanding of human anatomy. His discoveries challenged the prevailing beliefs of the time and provided evidence that the human body operates according to natural laws rather than supernatural forces. These advancements in medicine further undermined the authority of the church and encouraged individuals to seek knowledge through observation. The Renaissance, a period of cultural rebirth and intellectual revolution, reshaped the way humanity viewed itself and the world. It was a time of unparalleled creativity, scientific inquiry, and exploration of human potential. As highlighted throughout this essay, the Renaissance fundamentally transformed man's view of himself through advancements in art, literature, science, and medicine. This period saw a shift away from medieval perceptions of human limitations and subservience to divine authority, towards a newfound confidence in human capabilities and the pursuit of

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