2. Medieval and Renaissance literature were influenced by two completely different eras in human history.

During
the Middle Ages, (A.D. 1066- 1500) the toils of daily life affected the mindset of those at this time. As a result,
these ideas found its way into the making of Medieval literature. However, after the great rediscovery of the
classical civilizations during A.D. 1500- 1660, men began creating what is now looked upon as Renaissance
literature. Though they are both forms of writing, their history as a part of society greatly differed from contrasting
philosophies of life, leading to two different personalities. During the Middle Ages, a great emphasis was placed on
the blend of fantasy and reality. Though characters were given human characteristics, their personalities
transcended to those of fictitious figures (God, Saints, and revered leaders). Additionally, these stories
incorporated the codes of romance and honor, reliving the ideals of chivalry in writing. Furthermore, there was a
religious overtone hidden in these works. Because only monks could hand- copy these manuscripts in monasteries,
only a few were made available to the rich and noble. As for the peasants, the only way to pass down these stories
from generation to generation was by words of mouth. For example, Geoffrey Chaucer (1343- 1400), the famous
author of The Canterbury Tales, practiced these forms of writing in his narration of the social classes at this time.
He was later known as one of the best medieval writer of all time. In contrast to the religion- driven aspects of
literature found during Medieval times, Renaissance thinkers reverted back to the idealism of classical civilizations
during A.D. 1500- 1660. Instead of focusing on the dreams of the future, Renaissance men and women were
concerned with the here and now. During this period, feelings and emotions were key to illustrating humanism,
with the story more oriented on the character rather than the adventure. In addition, Renaissance literature
revolved more around having a real humanistic protagonist with a real story to tell. These basic ideals evolved from
a humble place in life to a materialistic dream steeped in luxury. Moreover, with the invention of the printing press
in 1440 by Johann Gutenberg, manuscripts were no longer needed to be meticulously hand- copied, and were able
to be printed and delivered to the mass public inexpensively and swiftly. With more men and women educated due
to the indirect results of the printing press, literature became widespread throughout Europe. For example, John
Milton (A.D. 1608- 1674), in his notorious epic poem Paradise Lost, illustrated a more humanistic and prideful
Lucifer who craves power in Heaven. This represents the change in ideas from the religious Medieval literature into
the secular themes of Renaissance literature.
4.Literature is the foundation of life. It places an emphasis on many topics from human tragedies to tales of the
ever-popular search for love. While it is physically written in words, these words come alive in the imagination of the
mind, and its ability to comprehend the complexity or simplicity of the text. Literature enables people to see
through the lenses of others, and sometimes even inanimate objects; therefore, it becomes a looking glass into the
world as others view it. It is a journey that is inscribed in pages, and powered by the imagination of the reader.
Ultimately, literature has provided a gateway to teach the reader about life experiences from even the saddest
stories to the most joyful ones that will touch their hearts. From a very young age, many are exposed to literature in
the most stripped down form: picture books and simple texts that are mainly for the sole purpose of teaching the
alphabet etc. Although these are not nearly as complex as an 800-page sci-fi novel, it is the first step that many
take towards the literary world. Progressively, as people grow older, they explore other genres of books, ones that
propel them towards curiosity of the subject, and the overall book. Reading and being given the keys to the
literature world prepares individuals from an early age to discover the true importance of literature: being able to
comprehend and understand situations from many perspectives. Physically speaking, it is impossible to be someone
else. It is impossible to switch bodies with another human being, and it is impossible to completely understand the
complexity of their world. Literature, as an alternative, is the closest thing the world has to being able to
understand another person whole-heartedly. For stance, a novel about a treacherous war, written in the perspective
of a soldier, allows the reader to envision their memories, their pain, and their emotions without actually being that
person. Consequently, literature can act as a time machine, enabling individuals to go into a specific time period of
the story, into the mind and soul of the protagonist. With the ability to see the world with a pair of fresh eyes, it
triggers the reader to reflect upon their own lives. Reading a material that is relatable to the reader may teach them
morals and encourage them to practice good judgement. This can be proven through public school systems, where
the books that are emphasized the most tend to have a moral-teaching purpose behind the story. An example
would be William Shakespeares stories, where each one is meant to be reflective of human nature both the good
and bad. Consequently, this can promote better judgement of situations, so the reader does not find themselves in
the same circumstances as perhaps those in the fiction world. Henceforth, literature is proven to not only be
reflective of life, but it can also be used as a guide for the reader to follow and practice good judgement from. The
world today is ever-changing. Never before has life been so chaotic and challenging for all. Life before literature was
practical and predictable, but in present day, literature has expanded into countless libraries and into the minds of
many as the gateway for comprehension and curiosity of the human mind and the world around them. Literature is
of great importance and is studied upon as it provides the ability to connect human relationships, and define what is
right and what is wrong. Therefore, words are alive more than ever before.