Which literary movement characterized the Renaissance?

The Renaissance was characterized by the literary movement known as Humanism. This movement emphasized the value and agency of human beings, focusing on classical texts, literature, and philosophy from ancient Greece and Rome. Humanism marked a shift away from the predominantly religious themes of the Middle Ages to a celebration of individual potential and achievement. Writers and thinkers during the Renaissance sought to explore human experience, intellect, and emotions, which fostered a new approach to literature that appreciated secular themes and emphasized reason and critical thinking.

This development allowed for a flourishing of art, literature, and science, as seen in the works of figures like Petrarch, Erasmus, and Shakespeare, all of whom drew upon classical ideas to address contemporary human concerns. In contrast, the other movements mentioned did not emerge until after the Renaissance. Romanticism, for example, came later and focused on emotion and nature, while Postmodernism is a much more contemporary movement that questions concepts of certainty and truth. Realism, also post-Renaissance, aimed to depict everyday life without embellishment. Thus, Humanism is not just a defining characteristic of Renaissance literature but a foundation for the evolution of Western thought and culture.