Renaissance and Humanism Overview

What was the Renaissance?

Name one significant work from the Renaissance.

Which of the following authors wrote The Faerie Queen?

Humanism focused primarily on religious doctrine.

Which literary form dominated the Elizabethan Era?

What significant event occurred during the Renaissance in Britain?

Which of the following is NOT a work by William Shakespeare?

The Renaissance

A cultural movement originating in Italy during the 14th century (1301-1400)
Marked by a shift from medieval attitudes to a humanist approach
Drama became more sophisticated, becoming an integral part of different cultures
Comedies were common, dealing with everyday life and often having happy endings
Three significant works of the time include: Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio, and The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

Humanism

An intellectual movement reviving classical Greek and Roman philosophies
Focused on human values rather than religious doctrine
Coexisted with the innovation of the Renaissance
The Renaissance dominated Britain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (15th - 17th century)

Elizabethan Era Literary Forms

Poetry and drama were the dominant literary forms
Edmund Spenser: The Shepherd's Calendar (1579) - A pastoral poem focusing on the lives of shepherds, The Faerie Queen (1590) - A poem that celebrated Queen Elizabeth I
Christopher Marlowe: The Jew of Malta
William Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night

Explore the rich cultural movement of the Renaissance that began in Italy during the 14th century and the rise of humanism. This quiz delves into significant literary works of the era, including Dante's Divine Comedy and Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. Test your knowledge on the foundational shifts in literature and philosophy that shaped Western culture.