Difference Between Renaissance and Middle Ages (With Table)

Let’s find the difference between renaissance and middle ages by first understanding what these historical periods were really about.

The main difference between the Renaissance period and the Middle Age is that the Middle Ages period was characterized by a decline in the economic situation, population, size, and prominence of various cities whereas the Renaissance period was a cultural movement that led to the beginning of the modern era.

Renaissance means ‘rebirth’ or ‘reawakening’. By this term, we can understand that the Renaissance period was composed of slumber or stillness. This characteristic was described by the scholars of the Middle Age period. Renaissance was a cultural movement that had taken place between the late 13th and the early 17th century.

The movement started in Italy, then spread to the rest of the world. This period led to an increased interest in Classical values.

The Middle Age was also known as the Dark Age. It began in the 5th century and continued till the 16th century. The beginning of the Middle Age period had led to the decline of the Western Roman Empire whereas the end of the period blended with the Age of Discovery and the Renaissance period.

Comparison Table: Renaissance Period VS. Middle Ages

Criteria	Renaissance Period	Middle Ages
Meaning	The renaissance period was marked by cultural and intellectual movements.	The Middle Age period was a part of European history.
Time-span	It took place between the late 13th to early 17th centuries.	It started between the 5th century and the 16th century.
Known as	It is considered to be the beginning of modernity.	It is considered to be the dark age.
Focus	The Renaissance period focuses on man and his multiple capabilities.	The Middle Age period focuses on the supremacy of God.
Characteristics	Some characteristics of the Renaissance period include rational thinking and scientific ideas.	Some characteristics of the Middle Age period include belief in the supernatural form of God and superstitions.

About The Renaissance

Renaissance was a cultural movement that took place immediately after the end of middle age. The middle-age acted as the driving force for this movement. The movement had the central idea of rebirth or reawakening of entire Europe. This change was necessary so that Europe can be shown as the light of the modern era.

The origin of the term Renaissance was related to French. The term Renaissance means rebirth. This term was first used in the 18th century which was 4 years after the movement had started. The word was publicized by Jules Michelet who was a French historian. Use the term in the book Histoire De France (A History of France). It was published in 1855.

The Renaissance movement had led to a new interest in the sphere of learning. The values of classical antiquity were of high interest even though the medieval period was characterized by an era of stagnation and darkness. The movement had originated in Italy. Later on, it spread to The Western and the central parts of Europe between the late 13th and the early seventeenth century. The beginning of a modern era in Europe. It was a complete process where the culmination of the enlightenment movement took place.

It was considered to be a vast movement with multiple features. The characteristic features of the movement are as follows:

1. Humanism first started in Italy and was thus called Italian humanism. Before the movement of the Renaissance, human beings were said to be the puppets of the god or they would be considered slaves of faith. However, there was a shift in the mindset of the people. The humanists created the idea where a man can perform with excellent physical and intellectual capabilities without blindly submitting to the supreme idea of God.
2. Individualism was another movement that consisted of ideas regarding self-culture and self-development.
3. Secularism led to multiple questions related to the supremacy and power of the god and its relation to various religions.
4. People tried to focus on themselves and their capabilities which led to rational thinking. This rationalist movement led to multiple questions which formed The Renaissance movement.
5. The Renaissance movement ended with the introduction of a modern and scientific environment where the foundations were created by scholars like Galileo and Kepler.

About The Middle Age

The middle age refers to the time period in European history when the fall of the Western Roman Empire took place. It is normally called the middle ages because this time period falls in the middle of classical antiquity and the modern Renaissance period. The middle-age period was divided into three phases namely only, high, and late middle age.

Some of the important characteristics of this period were the decline in population, change in the economic situation, and changes in the size and prominence of the cities. It was considered to be a part of great uncertainties as the barbarians started to migrate to the ruined western Roman empire. This had led to the growth of new kingdoms.

The second phase led to the rise of some of the greatest rulers of the Middle Ages. But soon these invasions led to the restructuring of medieval society. The last phase of the medieval age was known as the hai since it experienced a lot of changes in economic and cultural prosperity. The life of the people was marked with tricked rituals, customs, and conventions along with high obedience towards the King and the Pope.

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Difference Between Renaissance and Middle Ages

1) Meaning

Renaissance is a cultural and intellectual movement. The Middle Age period was a part of European history.

2) Time-span

It took place between the late 13th to early 17th centuries. It started between the 5th century and the 16th century.

3) Known as

The Renaissance period is considered to be the beginning of modernity whereas the middle Ages were considered to be dark ages marked by turbulence and violence.

4) Focus

The Renaissance period focuses on man and his multiple capabilities. The Middle Age period focuses on the supremacy of God.

5) Characteristics

Some characteristics of the Renaissance period include rational thinking and scientific ideas. Some characteristics of the Middle Age period include belief in the supernatural form of God and superstitions.

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