The Modern Age and the Renaissance: A Literary and Historical Overview
The Modern Age
1. Definition
Throughout the 15th century, the world underwent substantial changes that heralded the arrival of a new era—the Modern Age. Its boundaries are usually set between the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the French Revolution in 1789. During these three centuries, humanity took a significant leap forward.
2. Features
A) Political and Economic Order: New lands were discovered, and markets expanded. Large nations ruled by absolute monarchs (France, Spain, Russia) or parliamentary regimes (England) began to form.
B) Social Order: The rigid caste system of the medieval world broke down, and broad principles for regulating coexistence—liberty, equality, and justice—were established.
C) Spiritual Order: The Modern Age began with the triumph of the Protestant Reformation, which challenged the Catholic Church. This era ended with the questioning of religious principles in the 17th century, leading to the growth of atheism, skepticism, and the adoption of secular morality.
D) Scientific and Cultural Order: The experimental method was established, leading to advancements in astronomy (Copernicus), mathematics (Newton), chemistry (Lavoisier), and medicine (Michael Servetus). Transcendental discoveries like gunpowder, printing, the compass, blood circulation, and the steam engine were made. There was a renewed interest in the classical past, with the cultural and ideological legacy of Greece and Rome being studied and imitated. This influence on art and thought extended for three centuries:
- 16th Century: Renaissance
- 17th Century: Baroque (Spain and England) and Classicism (France)
- 18th Century: French Classicism spread throughout Europe
The Renaissance
1. Definition
The word “Renaissance” refers to a rebirth, designating the movement initiating the Modern Age. The Renaissance began in Italy, heir to Roman civilization, and spread to other countries during the 16th century.
2. Features
A) Resurgence of the Classics: Recurrence of themes, genres, and forms from Greco-Roman antiquity.
B) Humanism (Anthrocentrism): Focus on man, replacing the God-centered view (Theocentrism).
C) Nature: A renewed interest in nature led to the appreciation of landscapes, often inspired by Virgil’s descriptions.
3. Literary Genres
A) Epic Poetry
During the Renaissance, European countries (except Spain) revisited medieval epic poems. Cult epics influenced by Homer and Virgil developed fantastic themes (Ariosto). Others related the exploits of a hero or a nation (Camoes).
- Ariosto: Orlando Furioso transformed the hero into a fantastic superman.
- Camoes: The Lusiads, a national epic, sang the glories of Portugal.
B) Lyric Poetry
The transition from medieval to Renaissance lyric began in Italy with Dante and Petrarch, who were admired throughout Europe.
- Ronsard: A leading French poet, part of the Pleiades group. Known for sonnets about love and the Carpe diem theme.
C) The Novel
Novels, intended for individual reading, gained popularity due to cheaper printing. Popular genres included sentimental, pastoral, chivalric, and picaresque novels.
- Sannazaro: Arcadia, a pastoral novel that influenced European literature.
- Rabelais: Gargantua and Pantagruel, a satirical story satirizing medieval thought and the Renaissance.
D) Essay
1. Definition
Humanism, a cultural movement of the Renaissance, fostered interest in all things human. Humanists were learned individuals.
- Erasmus of Rotterdam: Author of Adagia and The Praise of Folly, works of moral and religious content.
- Thomas More: Utopia described an ideal country with tolerance and no war or money.
- Machiavelli, Castiglione, Montaigne: Other influential humanists.
Machiavelli: The Prince, a controversial political treatise, justified deceit and treachery for rulers.
Castiglione: The Book of the Courtier profiled the ideal Renaissance man.
Montaigne: Coined the term “essay” to describe brief, pleasant writings on various topics.