The Renaissance has a number of themes that are found in the art and literary contributions of the time period. There was a strict move away from the emphasis of Christianity that existed during the Medieval period. The theme of secularism took hold in Europe. Secularism is the emphasis of worldly things rather than the sacred. Art and literature became more realistic and temporal. It was created for entertainment value rather than a religious end.
Another theme of the Renaissance was humanism. Through humanism, the Greek and Roman classics were re-evaluated to gain a better understanding of the human condition. The field of philosophy was reinvigorated as a search for truth motivated new fields of study. Humanism was not necessarily a rejection of Christianity, as it is viewed today. It was simply a different way of examining it.
A third theme of the Renaissance period is individualism. Individualism was an attempt to elevate the individual to a status never achieved before. Philosophers were interested in studying the potential greatness of man. Emphasis was also placed on developing ideas as to how mankind should act and behave. Artists and sculptors started to take a greater interest in anatomy and the human body in their works of art.
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