The French word "renaissance" literally means ' rebirth '.How fitting is this term as a label for the particular period in European history?Fit...

The Renaissance is a period of history that spans a couple
of centuries. It began in the early 14th century, first in Italy, then spread to the
rest of Europe. Roughly, the dates are 14th century to 17th century. As people were
returning from the Crusades, and also after the fall of Constantinople, they had to sail
first to Italy. Italy had many port cities and it was the first country in Western
Europe that most ships would arrive in on the way back from the East. Plus, Italy had
the Medici family - rich patrons of the arts - that encouraged painting, sculpture,
literature, etc. The Middle Ages were called the "Dark Ages" for many reasons - the
plague, lack of literacy, failed Crusades - so with a newborn interest in arts and
science, one can see why the term "rebirth" or "Renaissance" was applied to this time.
It was a rebirth of a time when these things were important to people - a rebirth of the
classics.

You will have to do some research on literary and
cultural texts of this period to complete your assignment because the scope of
Renaissance literature includes famous literary giants from all European countries:
Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio from Italy, Marlow, Milton, Spenser, Donne, Shakespeare from
England, Ronsard, Rabelais, Montaigne from France - and many, many others. Great
philosophers wrote during this period - Spinoza, Grotius, Bacon,
Machiavelli.

Since you are limited to only 500 words, the
best you can do on this is give an overview of what the Renaissance writers were writing
about. What made their writing distinct from other periods? Remember that the printing
press was invented during this period, so people other than monks could get their hands
on great literature. For the most part, the Renaissance focused on humanism as opposed
to the focus on religion in the Middle Ages. This thought was reflected in the great art
masterpieces, sculptures and literature of the period. This was the period of Da Vinci,
Michelangelo, Van Eyck, Raphael, Titian, Bellini, Botticelli. It's a lot to cover in
only 500 words when volumes and volumes have been written.