The Role Of Individualism In The Renaissance

The Roman Catholic Church, being the only universal European institution of the Middle Ages, practically governed every aspect of society. Medieval Europeans viewed the Church as a blessing from God; a humble order which was sent to protect them from the numerous raids and invasions which consequently led to chaos and disorder in society. Europeans that lived during the medieval times were pious and devout Christians. They believed that the road to eternal happiness was to fear their almighty father in the Heavens, to obey His commandments, and to apply bible principles in their everyday lives. With hopes to be favored in God’s eyes, medieval Christians turned to religious authorities for guidance on not only spiritual, but also worldly matters. Papal authorities, asserted, “individualism was identical with arrogance, rebellion, and sin”(1) , and in order to impede sinful actions, the Church restricted individual expression and “advocated unfaltering faith and unquestioning obedience.” The Church discouraged individual freedom and taught that one’s position in life was decided by God and was not to be questioned, or changed. Thus, the Church advocated feudalism, which “revolved around the community rather than the individual… collective and corporate liberty rather than …show more content…
Due to humanists’ admiration for Greek and Roman works, Renaissance achievements were often based upon the those of the Classics. While individuals in the Middle Ages lived under the papal authority and were unable to explore the fields of art, philosophy, and politics, the creative spirits of men were released during the Renaissance, as humanists pursued many careers, “reaching out for the celestial manna of sound learning”. With the rise of education, individualism, and secularism during the Renaissance, men were able to be “like actors, molding themselves upon the stage of the