Humanism: The Spark of a Revolution

Humanism is commonly known as an intellectual movement that emphasizes the value of humans and their capabilities (Mastin, 2008). Humanism, though, is much more than just an intellectual movement, it was the spark to a revolution that ended the Dark Ages and brought us to an age of enlightenment and new confidence, which we now know as the Renaissance Period. This is the movement that brought forth many changes in how people viewed the world and how they saw themselves.

Back at the Dark Ages people saw themselves as lower beings unable to do anything, but Humanism crushed that way of thinking and instead made people realize that they are very much capable of doing things and even going beyond their known boundaries (“Humanism during the Renaissance”, n.d.). This new idea about the human person also began the deterioration of Feudalism, a political system of which people are unable to go beyond their current stature in society (“Humanism during the Renaissance”, n.d.). The spread of the ideals of Humanism encouraged and showed those in the lower class that they can move up from their social class and be merchants instead of peasants (“Humanism during the Renaissance”, n.d.). But aside from all these Humanism also affected education, music, art, and literature because in the Dark Ages people had little to no exposure to the arts and literature. Specifically, for literature, this movement brought on the experimentation of new forms, creation of idealistic worlds showcased in stories, and even a much more optimistic view with regards to the lives of the characters (“Shmoop”, n.d.).

Humanism was built upon the idea of using classical, Roman and Greek, literature to refine the present, and give people a more optimistic outlook on life (“AllAboutRenaissanceFaires”, n.d.). Humanism, in that aspect, provided the people confidence and a new sense of purpose. Citizens were given the task to move up from their current situation in life and be more than that. Humanism’s ideals are what catapulted us into the Renaissance Period and our modernized world right now. Thus, these ideals are what should still be governing us even today, because to go beyond our known boundaries is what our main quest in life is.

References

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