Historians are constantly attempting to understand the factors that distinguish the Renaissance period from the Middle Ages. There has been a consistent focus on Italy as the beginning of the Renaissance, however, recently there has been a shift towards focussing on the Renaissance as a series of smaller, linked “Renaissances” around Europe. These different approaches have been examined in Introduction: A Wider Renaissance? by Alexander Lee.
Lee establishes that one of the most prominent schools of thought within Renaissance history is that the shift from Middle Ages to the Renaissance is identified by the Renaissance’s newfound focus on “the individual” and the return to the classical ideals of the Roman Empire. A common enthusiasm for classical …show more content…
As explored by Lee, there are indications of multiple renaissances that occurred different areas of Europe at a similar time. This has shifted into the idea of a multi-centered Renaissance, as each burst of classical inspiration caused a chain reaction among other countries. This theory focuses on the importance of cultural exchange within Europe at the time of the Renaissance, examining the role of “trade routes, diplomatic exchanges and informal associations” in the sharing of information and culture beyond Italy.
This change in Renaissance history seem to have been facilitated by new approaches to the study of the Renaissance. Firstly, the use of a new linguistic approach has had an impact. Historians have begun to question the definitions of key terms such as “Renaissance” and “Italian”, as in the past, they have reflected the values of the historian, not the time period. In a similar fashion, the re-examination of evidence from outside Italy has played a large role in changing the focus of Renaissance history, for example, the study of Emperor Charles IV of Prague, whose classical education appears comparable to the education of those in Italy.
The understanding of Renaissance Europe has undergone many changes. The general consensus among historians is that what is currently defined as the Renaissance
Lee establishes that one of the most prominent schools of thought within Renaissance history is that the shift from Middle Ages to the Renaissance is identified by the Renaissance’s newfound focus on “the individual” and the return to the classical ideals of the Roman Empire. A common enthusiasm for classical …show more content…
As explored by Lee, there are indications of multiple renaissances that occurred different areas of Europe at a similar time. This has shifted into the idea of a multi-centered Renaissance, as each burst of classical inspiration caused a chain reaction among other countries. This theory focuses on the importance of cultural exchange within Europe at the time of the Renaissance, examining the role of “trade routes, diplomatic exchanges and informal associations” in the sharing of information and culture beyond Italy.
This change in Renaissance history seem to have been facilitated by new approaches to the study of the Renaissance. Firstly, the use of a new linguistic approach has had an impact. Historians have begun to question the definitions of key terms such as “Renaissance” and “Italian”, as in the past, they have reflected the values of the historian, not the time period. In a similar fashion, the re-examination of evidence from outside Italy has played a large role in changing the focus of Renaissance history, for example, the study of Emperor Charles IV of Prague, whose classical education appears comparable to the education of those in Italy.
The understanding of Renaissance Europe has undergone many changes. The general consensus among historians is that what is currently defined as the Renaissance