Art and literature are the creations of the Renaissance. It was the period in English history when the whole world took a new turn. It was the time when literature and art were at their pinnacle. From religion to culture, from ideas to achievements, from architecture to literature, everything was refined.
Eminent concepts like “humanism” and “individualism” were introduced. Man explored himself; he came to realize his prestige and considered himself the center of the universe. It enlightened the minds of people after the obscurity of the Middle Ages. This made them sophisticated, elegant, and cultivated.
This era was full of aesthetics and irresistible allure. The writers and artists of the Renaissance were ingenious and imaginative. Their works were full of aesthetic sense and pleasure and are still admired and relished by us.
Lyric poetry, sonnets, and the most significant formation, “Metaphysical Poetry,” are the true charms of this era. Metaphysical poetry is the pure imaginative form of verse that goes beyond the physical world of the senses and explores the spiritual world. It had the elements of extreme exaggeration, hyperbole, and conceit to make it phenomenal.
A pre-eminent figure of this period was “William Shakespeare.” He is considered the great romantic poet and dramatist and is renowned because of his universality. His plays reflect the values, customs, tastes, norms, and traditions of his age, but they are as notorious today as before. His plays are immortal and eternal. Ben Johnson said the truth about him: “He was not of an age but for all times.”
This era is well known for stunning and dynamic art pieces, too. Renaissance painters had sublimity, loftiness, and elegance in their styles. Artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo have exhibited breathtaking paintings and sculptures, which are still adored by people.
This is the remarkable era as it changed the thoughts, ideals, culture, traditions, lifestyle, and, most importantly, people’s outlook towards life. I think we need the Renaissance spirit back in our lives, as we are unable to find a single element of it in today’s world.