Part A:Introduction

In the 15th – 16th centuries capitalist relation began todevelop in Europe.The former townspeople became the bourgeoisie.The bourgeoisie fought against feudalism because held back the development of capitalism.

The decay of feudalism and the development of capitalist relation was followed by a great rise in the cultural life of Europe.There was an attempt at creating a new culture which would be free from the limitation of the feudal ideology of the Middle Ages.The epoch was characterized by a thirst for knowledge and discoveries,by a powerful development of individuality.

There was a revival of interest in the ancient culture of Greece and Rome(“Renaissance” is French for “rebirth”).The study of the works of ancient philosophers, writers,and artists helped the people to widen their outlook,to know the world and man’s nature.On the basis of both the ancient culture and the most progressive elements of the culture of the Middle Ages the fine arts,literature and science of the Renaissance began to develop The culture of the Renaissance was,in fact,the first stage of bourgeois culture.The bourgeoisie as a class was being born and,as Engels said,the men who founded the modern rule of the bourgeoisie,had anything but bourgeois limitations.

The progressive ideology of the Renaissance was Humanism.Human life,the happiness of people and the belief in man’s abilities became the main subjects in file arts and literature.The works of humanists proclaimed equality of people regardless of their social origin, race and religion .Humanism did away with the dark scholastic teaching of the Middle Ages.The development of a new social order presented great possibilities for man’s creative power .That is why the humanist outlook was with bright optimism,with belief in man’s great abilities anh his high mission. It was contrary to the medieval ideology and especially to that of the Catholic Church.The power of Church over men’s mind was defeated.The bearers of the progressive outlook greatly contributed to the development of every branch of the world’s art,culture and science