The word "renaissance", meaning "rebirth" is perfect to describe the renaissance because the renaissance was a period of creativity and rediscovery (Farah and Karls 402). Developments in art, architecture and literature spread from Italy to the rest of Europe as people revisited the past stories of Greek and Roman culture. These are just a few reasons why the Renaissance period should be seen as a great time of cultural evolution that paved the way for everything that was to follow.
             Art during the renaissance was full of complex painting and phenomenal sculpture. Italian sculptors went back in time to reflect on classical ideals of free - standing statues of nude figures that resembled those of Greek and Roman sculpture. Painters of the renaissance also used a more realistic style of painting than that of the medieval times. Medieval painting was quite flat and boring while renaissance painting was very detailed and thought out.
             Much like art, architecture took a step back in time during the renaissance to a classical style of building. The rebirth of such ideas was necessary to the construction of many structures during the renaissance, such as churches, palaces, and villas. On such structures, architects used columns and domes, which were used in the days of Greek and Roman, rule, instead of arches and spires found on medieval structures. Some of the most impressive and most important structures every constructed, were built during the time of renaissance and reformation.
             Literature of the renaissance also took a step back in time to the days of Greek and Roman rule. Interest in ancient Greece and Rome moved artists to include classical mythology as well as biblical themes in their works. The renaissance was especially known for drama. Such playwrights as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe drew some of their ideas from classical mythology and histories of ancient Rome.
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