Often considered the cultural bridge between the Middle Ages and modern history, The Renaissance is the term given to the period from the 14th to the 17th century, in which art, literature, science and philosophy thrived.
The Renaissance marked a shift in mindset: instead of relying on the will of God, people started to act according to their capabilities.
Some major developments of the Renaissance include astronomy, humanist philosophy, the printing press, vernacular language in writing, painting technique, world exploration and, in the late Renaissance, Shakespeare's works.
The word “Renaissance” is French for “re-birth” – the period is so named because of the renewed interest in the culture of ancient Greece and Rome during this time.
