The Renaissance brought about a rebirth and an expansion of cultural experience. It included those outside the elite classes, and it directed society toward more humanist and realistic perspectives. Without the Renaissance, we might not preserve and appreciate the fine arts as we do today. Science, too, might not have developed in the same way without such Renaissance men as Leonardo da Vinci.
This cultural expansion and the new directions of ideas in the Renaissance did much to introduce and awaken many who heretofore either had no interest or were not included in the expression of and the appreciation of the arts.
One of the Renaissance authors who set the stage for literary realism was Giovanni Boccaccio, who wrote The Decameron. This work contains settings and characters that were recognizable to many readers. In addition, there is a short heading that serves as an explanation of each tale. Readers could connect with these personages and enjoy the literary work. Even today, this style of writing is popular.
The new humanist viewpoint of the Renaissance also turned societies toward an interest in scientific research and inventions. Of course, one of the greatest contributors to the development of the arts and sciences was Leonardo da Vinci. He introduced realism into the portrayal of the human form because he combined science with his art as he drew anatomically correct human forms. This is not to say that he did not take artistic license as, for instance, he did with his sculpture of David, which has the right arm constructed on a larger scale.
During the Renaissance the printing press was created, followed by other inventions and scientific discoveries. As there were more developments in science and thought, more mobility was witnessed in Europe. And with more interest in humanism, the Roman Catholic religion waned in its power. Along with this lessening of the power of the Church, Rome's prominence as the...
