Western Civilization. Changing Attitudes from the Ancient World to the Early Modern Period - Essay Example

Western Civilization: Changing Attitudes from the Ancient World to the Early Modern Period History is about transitions from one way of life to another. It is the evolution of people, their culture and environments. The middle ages was a time ripe for change and led to an evolution that brought about the rebirth or 'renaissance' of an entire continent, Europe. The departure from the classical period into the middle ages was heralded by Christianity. Religion played a great deal in the events that led to the changes in both the medieval world and the renaissance. This paper will endeavor to point out the major factors of change from each era leading up to the 'rebirth' of a nation and the evolution of a continent. In order to accomplish this, we will start with a brief look of the transition from the classical era to the medieval period. The first focus of the paper will look at how the medieval time period was seen by those wanting change, and by examining key factors that contributed to the changes that led to the renaissance. Second the paper will examine at what point changes occurred and how these contributed to the revolution that was the renaissance. The paper will conclude with a look at the effects of those changes and how they affected the world at large. Religion throughout time has played a great role in the evolution of nations. Men have killed and been killed for their faith. The period after the classical know as the 'early middle ages' was fraught with religious overtures. The rule of law was based in god and the might of the king was based in his faith and in the power of the clergy who backed his rule. It was a time of the 'divine right of kings'. A good example of this is the story of Charlemagne who was crowned king due to his faith and devoutness by Pope Leo III.1 The rules of justice were also simplified and meted out by the king, the clergy and the aristocracy. This idea of divine right and the power of a certain body of individuals led to the suppression of the individual and his rights as a freeman. They were subjugated in favor of faith and authority. Religion and issues of eternal life took to the forefront and all things individualistic, such as art, were relegated to positions of least importance. This is the first glimpse of the 'backward' nature of the medieval era. The second factor that led to the belief of the middle ages as a backward time was the notion that this period was culturally stagnant. It was a time believed to have a "lack of secular Latin literature' as well as 'corruption within the Church such as Popes who ruled as kings, pagan superstitions with saints relics, celibate priesthood, and institutionalized moral hypocrisy."2 This view probably came from the fact that learning was mainly in the hands of the clergy. Most written works were of a religious nature done by scribes who slowly and meticulously copied and recorded only what was given to them by the church. There was not much written about the arts or science all secular beliefs banished from the light. There was no balance of society and the individual, and only the worldview of serving your faith (God) and serving your lord through obedience and following life according to the will of the church. It was an age of the supernatural versus reason with no options for choice. The third factor in the middle ages 'backward' theory stems from the economic sector. This was also stagnant due to the power being held in the hands of the aristocracy and the guilds. The wealth of the society was in the hands of a few and no one individual could do business without the approval or backing of the guilds or the aristocracy. An emerging middle class at the end of the Crusades was also to become apart of this factor for change. At the end of the Crusades, many people sought out life in the cities and created a need for goods and services. They also developed an interest in the many cultures they had come in contact and wanted to experience and change their lives for the better. It can easily be surmised that suppression in the growth of any industry is going to lead to an eventual breakdown of the society or an explosion of rebellion. This was to become a key factor for the changes in the future of European society. Societies change when individuals are tired of the status quo and rebel against what they feel is injustice. They start to slowly see things differently and the beginnings of a rebellion are born. The European renaissance, beginning with the Italian rebirth, was one of the largest and greatest 'rebellions' of all time. Society began to rebel against the church and its' stranglehold on all aspects of life. They did not shun religion but rather the view that all life must be in preparation for the eternal hereafter and not to be enjoyed. It was time for change and for a rebirth of ideas and ideals. The renaissance had its' early beginnings in the observations of the humanists, like Petrarch who lived during the 14th century. He felt that one should have faith in the human effort and that choices we make should not be dependent on the church or the supernatural. Humanists' basic foundations said man determined his future and should live his life based on his own moral compass. These philosophers and others, viewed the middle ages as 'backward' in nature, and created a voice for change by placing the emphasis on man and his achievements. The humanists initiated the revival of Classical philosophies and learning. It was seen as a period of 'scientific revolution and artistic transformation'.3 It was a time that lent itself to the spirit of exploration which would eventually lead to increases in commerce and the expansion of the knowledge attained from other cultures, such as the Arabs. The flourishing of new ideas led to the opening up of new ways of looking at science and new inventions which would transform everyday life. The invention of the printing press by the middle of the 1400's led to the transformation of the dissemination of knowledge, so far held only in the hands of a few and mainly by the church. The interpretation of the Bible was now open to many more individuals. Education which had started to take place in the High middle ages flourished more easily in this new forum. Emphasis was now placed on the printing of the literature of the Hellenistic and classical periods and a revival of the ideas of a once forgotten era. This is however not to say that religion was dismissed but it was now left to the interpretation of men and not ruled by one person or set of persons. Religion still played a key role in the renaissance and could be seen in all aspects of the 'rebirth'. The renaissance brought life back to art, science, philosophy, commerce, politics and life in general. People shifted away from the middle ages attitude of no expression to free expression. This new found freedom was a release from the religious confines of the previous era. Religion however always finds its' place in every era and it was no less during the renaissance. Religion dominated by using art to visually bring life to Christianity in a more exciting form. The painting of the Sistine chapel by Michelangelo is just one example. The use of the printing press to spread Christianity was another aspect of the dominance of religion. The individual thinking would eventually lead to a splintering of Christianity based on varying interpretations. Religion however also took its' dark turn during this time with the inquisition and its' witch hunts', showing not all aspects of the renaissance had a positive turn. The Roman inquisition was set up to prosecute ideas that went against the norm such as Galileo and his heliocentric ideas of the universe. This was one example of how the church tried to maintain its' stronghold in this new era. The changes in the renaissance came about with the evolution of a society that required change to cope with their emerging status of a Church and nobility driven society to one of a thriving commercial state. The effect that this had on not just one community but on an entire continent could be seen in the advances in science and in changing ideologies. The Renaissance man felt he had freedom of expression for the first time and used it to make his life better. In conclusion, we can determine that Europe changed from being seen as a backward time in the middle ages to one of modern thinking during the renaissance.. We see evidence of the evolution of a society through examples such as the invention of the printing press that led to the spread of knowledge. This shows us the power of the creativity of humans when allowed to be free thinkers. It also exemplifies the power of knowledge and how differing opinions can help create a more diverse society not oppressed by one way of thinking. Most importantly we can clearly see that the evolution of a society is not overnight but determined through events unfolding overtime. In the long run we as historian may say that the Middle Ages were not completely backward and they had their advantages. We may even determine that the renaissance was not as glamorous a period as we are originally given to think, but the perceptions of their times are what drive men to seek more of life and to try and improve on it through learning or rebellion. They do not have the luxury of hindsight and as in any evolution have their trials and tribulations. Like the renaissance we must be open to ideas and ideologies that will enhance our lives and determine the course of our futures. WORKS CITED 'The Book of Emperors & Kings, Charlemagne and Pope Leo III". Documents in Western Civilization. Chapter 6.7, pages 105-107. Prentice Hall. Kreis, S. "Renaissance Humanism." The History Guide - Lectures on Modern European Intellectual History. 2001. http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/humanism.html "Middle Ages in history." Wikipedia - the free Encyclopedia. 2005. Wikipedia online - 20 Nov. 2005. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages_in_history#Renaissance "Renaissance." Wikipedia - free Encyclopedia. 2005. Wikipedia online - 22 Nov. 2005 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance>. Read More