After the Middle Ages: The Renaissance Period
After the Middle Ages, there was a period known as the Renaissance Period, during which the Catholic Church and the Pope ruled society. The availability of information and tools for raising consciousness was constrained during the Middle Ages. Additionally, people were afraid to voice their opinions about social norms and practices. The Renaissance Era, however, brought about a shift in these customs. The essay elaborates on how the Renaissance Period saw the adoption of humanism, better agricultural practices, and literacy. People progressed their knowledge by escaping the illiteracy cocoon. During the Middle Ages, illiteracy was widespread probably because most people did not value education and schools were very few (Renaissance Mini-Q 435). Equally, the decision to pursue some important things such as education was controlled by the Catholic Church and the Pope. In fact, the two were the custodians of culture since they owned almost all books in addition to writing the Bible. During that time, the people bestowed all powers regarding their lives and decision to specific individuals in the society. However, advancement in awareness during the Renaissance Period influenced the desire of some people such as merchants and bankers to equip themselves with necessary knowledge for daily activities (Renaissance Mini-Q 435). The period made people realize their freedom was infringed. Thus, the Renaissance Period made many people to understand the importance of education.
The Emergence of Humanism
The Renaissance Period influenced the emergence of humanism. During the Middle Ages, all art and literature focused specifically on Jesus Christ as well as sin (Renaissance Mini-Q 435). The value of human beings and their needs was rarely addressed. It is as a result that facilities such as schools and resources such as books were kept away from the people. Similarly, all decisions in the society were made by the Pope or the Catholic Church (Renaissance Mini-Q 435). Moreover, many people including the serfs dependent on the lords. In other words, the Catholic Church and the Pope ensured people are dependent on them by regulating their access to information. These practices however changed during the Renaissance Period because of change of views about humanism. The beauty as well as the intelligence of the people was recognized (Renaissance Mini-Q 431). In addition, the contributions of all people became significant.
The Adoption of Improved Technology
The Renaissance Period is associated with the emergence and use of improved technology. Initially, in the Middle Ages, technology was so crude that production of food crops and reading materials was very poor. The need for education during the Renaissance Period made people invent printing machines. Books and other reading materials were highly printed at this period when compared with the Middle Ages (Renaissance Mini-Q 435). The period also saw extensive production of agricultural products because of the adoption of improved technology. In addition, many people including the serfs became independent. The recognition of the importance of independence in life influenced the creativity and innovativeness of the people (Renaissance Mini-Q 435).
In Conclusion
In conclusion, the Renaissance Period changed human views significantly. Illiteracy and poor farming methods were highly embraced in the Middle Ages, a period immediately before the Renaissance Period. People were also dependent on the lords during the Middle Ages. In addition, humanism was not valued during the Middle Ages. The Renaissance Period brought these practices to an end. People started valuing education, influencing the extensive spread of literacy. Apart from embracing humanism, people started to become independent. Moreover, the period made people accept the use of new technology in farming and printing reading materials.
Work Cited
Renaissance Mini-Q: How Did Renaissance Change Man’s View of Man
