"The Renaissance: Myths and Facts" Topic

"The Renaissance is a widely misunderstood period in European history; art and culture was reformed but the past was not wholly discarded. Below is an account from a book by Anthony Esolen on this time period.

The frequency of assassination, the perennial plots, the constant vicissitudes, encouraged superstition and a romantic view of Fate. Men felt themselves to be the prey of strange destinies and turned to astrologers and magicians to strengthen their hope, to check despair, and to help them meet the uncertain future with confidence. The stars were studied as intensely as diplomatic dispatches, as a guide to action; and superstitious dread threaded the daily course of men's lives. (J. H. Plumb, The Italian Renaissance)…"

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Armand

Like the Middle Ages, the Renaissance is a term used to cover a long swath of history. Its meaning and extent vary widely and is influenced by the lens of which academic discipline is being applied--e.g. art history, literature, architectural history, military history, political structures, economic history, et., etc., etc… Such terms are more or less useful when the group which uses it agrees on its meaning. Cheers!

Thanks.

Armand

I wonder if the writer is confusing the Renaissance with the Enlightenment.
"free to focus on something besides dusty faith"
There was _more_ focus on faith in this period than perhaps any other in Christian history – hence the wars of religion from, say, the Hussites onwards.

I'd disagree Swampster. There were few conflicts that didn't use sectarian reasons for justification but it had less to do with faith and more to do with power gaming. Look at the many alliances that crossed sectarian lines for military or political advantage as evidence.

Seeing faith so clearly subordinated to temporal power is what, in my opinion, fuelled the Enlightenment. I have always wondered why it took them so long to work out that religion is all about power.

The Renaissance, in short, is pitched to us as the rejection of the Middle Ages and the glorious triumph of secularism.

No, not really.
"Secularism" has nothing to do with Renaissance. Going back to the ancients is one threat, another is an individual path to god that does not go through Rome and the Catholic church. Still, the focus of the cultural Renaissance was Rome, with Florence a close second, where nobody ever doubted the Catholic Church.

So "secularism" is a late consequence, not at the root or mainstream of Renaissance. It is less the "rejection" of the Middle Ages then the willingness to accept new facts, paired with many "new" aspects that were discovered by mind and ship. Renaissance is an elusive term, and starts in Italy way before the fall of Constantinople, while other countries do not count in it for another 150 years.

@Gildas

I have always wondered why it took them so long to work out that religion is all about power.

Because that is not true.
Organised church is a tool of power. Religion is a tool of churches. But Religion itself is not ALL about power. There are many aspects in religion that have nothing to do with power, but a lot about coping with life.