Many eras had a period of success, or a “golden age”. Greece had its “golden age” from about 500 to 300 BC. India had its “golden age” from 200 to 500 AD. During the 16th Century, the Renaissance occurred. This was most of Europe's “golden age”. The Renaissance was the end of tragedy and war in England, and the beginning of life and culture.
The Renaissance had started in Italian cities like Naples and Venice. Through exchange of goods with the Middle East, ideas were exchanged as well (Dowling). “Renaissance means rebirth. This period saw a rebirth in knowledge. The Renaissance was turning from God to man. Science and the arts were becoming more important. Christopher Columbus discovered America and Michelangelo was painting the Sistine Chapel. William Shakespeare was writing his famous plays (Renaissance).” The nobles were the highest class of the social ladder and owned much of the land. Merchants had just started being rich and the workers were the lowest of the class (Dowling). The Renaissance started world exploration. Famous sailors like Columbus and Bartolomeu Dias were from this time period (Dowling). During the period, the printing press was invented. This allowed copying to be much faster (Renaissance). Music had also played a huge role in this period.
Music could be made at free will as opposed to the old strict ways (Renaissance). One of the famous composers was Josquin Desprez. “Josquin Desprez was born in 1440. Desprez was born in an area ruled by a duke. It was named the Duchy of Burgundy in modern day Belgium. He lived mainly in Italy. Desprez died in 1521. Josquin Desprez did a lot of music work. He was involved with church work. Josquin was very religious. Desprez was employed in Milan. He was also a singer at the Papal Chapel in Rome. He was a music teacher. He belonged to a group of composers known as the Netherlands School. Josquin Desprez had the ability to express words through music. He had command of musical technique. Desprez was skillful in the use of the canon (repetition of a melody.) Desprez wrote music for four voices. He composed secular songs. He also wrote love songs. His love songs were in French and Italian. Desprez composed eighteen masses. He wrote a lament for the death of his composer, Orkegtem. Josquin wrote a song called "Imitation of the Cricket." His music was published (Musicians).” Desprez was heavily known for influencing the Western society (Musicians). Another famous composer was Guillaume Dufay. Dufay was born in Cambrai, France in 1399, and died in 1474. He was the choir master of his music school and was known during his time for his knowledge of music (Musicians). Dufay was critically known for his multi-genre compositions. Such included dramatic cycles, isorhythmic motets, simply ornamented hymns, and cyclic masses (Musicians). These two, along with many others, helped influence music during the Renaissance period.
During this period there were many influential people, which was quite common. When a new leader was needed, Cosimo de Medici had been chosen. Throughout the Medici generation, strict laws were shown. Many were exiled from Florence just for disagreeing with his beliefs (Dowling). “William Shakespeare was the best-known writer of the Renaissance. His plays mixed humor with drama and showed the strengths and weaknesses of people (Dowling).” A Dutch realism painter by the name of Peter Brugel has many famous paintings of the Renaissance. He liked to show working, eating, and dancing in his work (Dowling). Nicolo Machiavelli had influenced many during the Renaissance. He was a writer who believed countries should be lead with force and anger (Dowling). Many pieces of modern culture were influenced by the Renaissance.
Once the wars and fighting was over, art and influence took over. The Renaissance truly did show rebirth in Europe's earlier periods. Culture was more focused on art, music, and inventions. But of course with culture comes great people including the renowned Shakespeare. Without this period in time, the modern societies might not have the same cultural arts.
