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Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance . Renaissance . Index | PBS

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An extraordinary wave of artistic and cultural innovation shattered medieval society and brought European culture reluctantly into the modern era.

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Introduction to the Renaissance and Shakespeare's Hamlet

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Introduction to the Renaissance and Shakespeare's Hamlet

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Hamlet, written around 1600 by William Shakespeare, is one of the most famous tragedies in English literature. The play follows Prince Hamlet of Denmark as he struggles with grief over his father’s death and betrayal by his uncle Claudius.

The works reflect the intellectual, social, and cultural atmosphere of the Renaissance, a period marked by renewed interest in art, science, and humanistic ideals.

Renaissance thinkers were fascinated by questions of identity, the nature of the soul, and the meaning of existence.

In Hamlet, these ideas come alive through the prince’s famous soliloquies, where he contemplates life’s uncertainties and the inevitability of death.

Many works such as Shakespeare's at the timewere shaped by a world in transition: the Protestant Reformation had reshaped religion, scientific discoveries challenged old beliefs, and England itself was navigating questions of power, monarchy, and human destiny under Elizabeth I.

The Renaissance was also a time when theater and poetry flourished as both entertainment and serious art, giving writers like Shakespeare a platform to explore universal questions.

Literature like Hamlet and the sonnets encouraged audiences to reflect on profound dilemmas: What gives life meaning? How do we face mortality? Can truth and beauty survive the passage of time? These questions, born of Renaissance curiosity and upheaval, remain deeply relevant today.

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What is a Sonnet? 📜 | PLUS analysis of Sonnet 18 | That is The Question | Shakespeare's Globe

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Renaissance Interactive - Annenberg Learner

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Explore the Renaissance and discover the forces that drove this rebirth in Europe, and in Italy in particular.

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The Middle Ages Interactive - Annenberg Learner

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Discover what it was like to live during the Middle Ages. Explore topics such as Feudal Life, Religion, Homes, Clothing,…

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Renaissance Humanism - The Origin and History

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Renaissance Humanism - The Origin and History

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Renaissance Humanism - The Origin & History

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In most of Europe, crafts and professions had been governed by [glossary term=”Guild”]guilds[/glossary] for centuries, ever since the expansion of towns and cities in the early Middle Ages. These sworn associations controlled trade, limited outside competition, established standards of quality, and set rules for the training of apprentices. Membership was usually compulsory—only guild members could […]

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Classical Revival

Renaissance thinkers were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome.

Writers borrowed classical forms (epic poetry, tragedy, comedy) while adapting them to their own time.

Artists used classical techniques like proportion, perspective, and idealized beauty (e.g., Michelangelo, Raphael, da Vinci).

Exploration and Global Expansion

Voyages of Columbus, Magellan, and others expanded Europe’s view of the world.

Literature and art began incorporating themes of discovery, curiosity, and the unknown.

Secularism in Art and Literature

While religion remained important, there was a shift toward portraying human emotion, nature, and everyday life.

Art like da Vinci’s Mona Lisa focused on individuality; literature like Shakespeare’s works explored personal struggles and complex human psychology.

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Historical Influences of the Renaissance 

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Historical Influences of the Renaissance 

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The Fall of Constantinople (1453)

When the Ottoman Empire captured Constantinople, many Greek scholars fled to Western Europe, bringing classical manuscripts and knowledge of ancient Greek and Roman culture.

This revived interest in humanism and the study of classical texts, which became central to Renaissance thought and literature.

The Printing Press (c. 1440)

Invented by Johannes Gutenberg, the printing press revolutionized the spread of ideas. Books became more affordable and widely available.

This democratized education, spread humanist ideas, and allowed literature, poetry, and plays to reach broader audiences.

Scientific Discoveries

Thinkers like Copernicus, Galileo, and Vesalius challenged medieval worldviews, emphasizing observation and evidence.

This influenced writers and artists to focus more on rationality, realism, and inquiry rather than tradition.

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1. Humanism

Humanism emphasized individual potential, human dignity, and worldly experiences rather than just religious devotion.

Literature shifted from purely religious themes to exploring love, ambition, morality, and identity.

2. The Reformation (1517)

Martin Luther’s challenge to the Catholic Church led to religious conflict and debates about faith, authority, and free will.

Writers began to question authority and explore themes of conscience, morality, and truth (e.g., Christopher Marlowe, John Milton later on).

3. Rise of Wealthy Patrons

Families like the Medicis in Florence sponsored artists and writers.

This encouraged experimentation in art and the blending of classical ideas with new styles.