Renaissances and Revivals
Monika Otter
This article provides a cautionary approach against an uncritical espousal of revival and renaissance as concepts historical explanation, demonstrating how pervasively they function instruments ideology. Renaissance are two separate connected issues. Whether is best seen absolute epochal divide, paradigm shift that fundamentally altered the worldview, even psychological constitution Europeans, or whether it would be better to de-emphasize abandon notion, has been, still is, matter lively debate. As concept attempts single out certain moments positively asserting something new, closely related larger problem periodization. Renewals sporadic events become part intellectual foundation. made them underpinning their own culture, medieval writers were always conscious also being readers, responding prior culture enriched authorized own. And where seemed overwhelming stifling, pushed forge literary idiom was authentically theirs.
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