The Middle Ages v. The

Renaissance

PhilosophyThe Middle Ages

Scholasticism Studied the ancient

writers in order to understand God

Interpreted the classics in a Christian sense

Essentially tried to combine the teachings of the Bible with classical writings

Used logical reasoning to analyze historical problems

The Renaissance Humanism

Admiration and emulation of the Ancient Greeks and Romans.

Philosophy of enjoying this life, instead of just waiting for the next one.

The glorification of humans and the belief that individuals are can do anything.

The belief that humans deserved to be the center of attention.

LiteratureThe Middle Ages

Dante’s The Divine Comedy

Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales

Francois Villon’ s The Grand Testament

Christine de Pisan

The RenaissanceCastiglione’s The

CourtierMachiavelli’s The

Prince Thomas More’s Utopia

Ideal ManThe Middle Ages

The ideal man was the pious man

Went to Church and was obedient to the Church

Conducted his duties by his family and God

The RenaissanceCastiglione’s The

Courtier Broad background in

various academic subjects

Dance, music, the artsCould compete in

sportsKnew how to conduct

politics and economics

Religion The Middle Ages

Crisis in the ChurchBabylonian CaptivityThe Great Schism

Leads to a decline in papal prestige

Many people begin to question their devotion to the churchNot necessarily

religion

The RenaissanceTrend toward

secularismBasic concern with the

material world Intellectuals inclined to

skepticismBroad masses were not

nearly as affected

SculptureThe Middle Ages

Statues usually reflected religious themes

Nudity was minimal or used in terms of morality

The Renaissance Appreciation for the

human form – ideal perfection

Imitation of Greco-Roman themes

Realism

Art

The Middle AgesPaintings were lacking in

depth and perspective.Paintings usually lacked

a background.Always themed

religiously and usually focusing on heaven or holy people.

The paintings were not realistic, and made no sense geometrically or mathematically.

The subjects did not show any emotions, except for calm or piety.

The Renaissance Emulation of the Ancient

Greeks and Romans. Good use of depth in paintings. Linear (further away = smaller)

and atmospheric (further away = hazier) perspective.

Paintings began to have more detailed backgrounds.

Not necessarily religious, more focus on earthly themes and humans.

More realistic, geometrically precise and mathematically accurate.

Subjects showing signs of more emotion.

Contraposto posture, in which the subject is shifting his or her balance.

Architecture The Middle Ages

Romanesque style of architectureRounded archesDarker interiorsThick walls, small

windowsGothic style

Taller, airyStained glassPointed arches

The RenaissanceEmphasis on form and

balance Introduction of the

domeRecreation of classical

elements such as columns

Technology The Middle Ages

Mostly agricultural in nature

The RenaissanceThe printing pressClocksShipping

Marriage and FamilyThe Middle Ages

Some deliberate pre-marriage pregnancy

Parents took the lead in arranging marriages

Women married in their twenties

Men around 30Traditional family

gender roles for husband and wife

No divorce

The RenaissanceNot much changedMany were financial

convenience marriages Marriage age actually

decreasedTraditional gender rolesWomen’s status

declines

Status of Women The Middle Ages

Women were the primary caregivers for home and children

Excluded from many craft guilds

Women seen as fundamental to success of their families

The Renaissance Increase in women

working outside of the house

Status of upper class women declineMore stress on women’s

role in the homeWomen seen as inferior

to menExcluded from public life

Generally women received a modest education

Politics

The Middle AgesLoosely tied to the

monarchyClose relationship

between monarchies and the papacy

Rulers have an obligation to act as moral role modelsIdealist view of

government

The Renaissance Italian City states-

Oligarchies Loose federationTrend towards

centralization in other countries

Separation from the papacy

The ends justify the means