Class 11 English Unit 11: Why is the Renaissance Important Language Development Section

 

Unit 11 Why is the Renaissance Important? - Broukal Milada

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DhaGe1DvsY

Reflection of the text 

There were no great changes in human life in Europe during the Middle Ages (about 500 C.E. – 1400s). People did what their ancestors did in the past but later on people got an education, and started trade and industry. Therefore, the change in the way of getting an education, doing arts, and exploring and discovering new things in new fields is called the ‘Renaissance’. It took place during the 13^th - 16^th centuries in Europe.

Regarding the start of the Renaissance, some believe that when the Turks took over the Greek city in 1453. People began to think about their culture and belief raising the question about it. Martin Luther revolted in Germany against Roman Catholicism which gave several new Christian religions. Democratic government was in demand and Italy, a birthplace of the Renaissance, was organized into city-states for better governance. The most famous political thinker of his period was Niccolo Machiavelli. He stated that a good leader could do bad and dishonest things to preserve his power and protect his government. 

The "new learning" taught people to think in new ways, and it also encouraged gifted people to paint pictures, make statues and buildings, and write great literature. The artistic developments of the Renaissance first happened in the Italian city of Florence, and then they spread to other Italian cities. These cities produced great painters and sculptors, like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael. Michelangelo spent four years painting thousands of feet of curved ceilings in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. A new kind of architecture also began in the Renaissance. It blended the old, classical styles with new ideas.

The architect, Filippo Brunelleschi, invented a new type of dome that was higher and grander than any from the classical era. The Netherlands became famous for great painters; England produced many writers, including William Shakespeare; and Spain had the literature of Cervantes. The development of the printing press in Germany by a man named Johannes Gutenberg helped more than anything to spread the new ideas of the Renaissance. Before that time, books were scarce and very expensive because they were written by hand. 

However, with the Renaissance, the middle classes could now afford books, and they wanted books in their own languages. They also wanted a greater variety of things to read, such as books on travel, poetry, and romance. There were many explorers around this time, including Columbus, Vasco de Gama, Cabot, Magellan, and Drake. Representing countries throughout Europe, these men sailed new waters and discovered new lands, including the Americas. The Renaissance didn't begin suddenly when Constantinople was taken over by the Turks or when the first book was printed in 1455.

Ways with Words

A.         Circle the correct meanings of the underlined words.

a.      Martin Luther started a revolt against the conventions of the Roman Catholic Church.

i. styles               ii. creations           iii. customs                     iv. writings

b.     It blended classical styles with new ideas.

i. separated         ii. corrected           iii. put side by side          iv. mixed together

c.      c. The dome marks the beginning of Renaissance architecture.

i. indicates          ii. tells                   iii. serves as a sign of      iv. makes

d.     d. The arts flourished during the Renaissance.

i.                   were almost forgotten             iii. grew and improved    iv. discovered

ii.                 iv. stayed about the same

e.      The new passion for learning also led to amazing discoveries in science.

i. enthusiasm      ii. emotion            iii. logic                          iv. power

Comprehension

A.   Answer these questions. (Answers only)

a.      Renaissance means “rebirth”. It is derived from French.

b.     When Greek scholars settled in these new locations, they taught Greek and shared their precious books.

c.      The “new learning” taught people to think in new ways by encouraging the gifted people to paint pictures, make statues and buildings, and write great literature.

d.     The artistic developments of the Renaissance first happened in the Italian city of Florence, and then they spread to other Italian cities. As a result of trade and banking, cities like Florence, Venice, and Milan became very wealthy, and their rich citizens had both the time and money to enjoy music, art, and poetry. These cities produced great painters and sculptors, like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael. These artists created some of history’s finest works of art.

e.      The three Renaissance scientists who made great discoveries were Galileo, Kepler, and Newton.

f.       Johannes Gutenberg developed the printing press. He was from Germany.

g.     The development of the printing press is considered one of the gifts of the Renaissance because it made people know the works of the best writers and all kinds of knowledge available to all.

h.     Columbus, Vasco de Gama, Cabot, Magellan, and Drake were the five famous explorers of the Renaissance.

i.       Some people think of the Renaissance as the beginning of modern history because of revival of classical thought, scientific discoveries, artistic and cultural transformation, political and economic shifts.

B.    What do you infer from the reading? Tick (√) the best answer. (Answers only)

a.      Before the Renaissance…

i.       Middle-class people did a lot of reading.

ii.     Education was limited to scholars and privileged people. √

iii.  People wanted to change their lives but couldn’t.

iv.   People were eager to learn new things.

b.     Which statement is true?

i.       The Greeks had a strong influence on Renaissance thinking. √

ii.     France was the birthplace of the Renaissance.

iii.  Turkish scholars spread their knowledge throughout Europe.

iv.   German philosophers were responsible for starting the Renaissance.

c.      What did the Renaissance do?

i.       It helped leaders maintain control over the middle class.

ii.     It discouraged people to go against traditional beliefs.

iii.  It caused people to make changes in their lives. √

iv.   It influenced people to fight against each other.

d.     What were the major causes of the Renaissance?

i.       changes in government

ii.     explorations of new lands

iii.  new artists and writers who created great works

iv.   printing, reading, and learning√ 

 

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