by ArtiSiN

Created on: April 28, 2009   Last Updated: April 29, 2009

Human reflection and culture is constantly changing to adjust to the new stimulus of the time. Due to this we can bracket our recorded history into ages, periods, eras, etc. It is for this reason that one can see the literary and artistic change from the Middle English Period to the Renaissance. Each of these time periods show consistent patterns, or trends, in tune with other writers, artists, and philosophers of the period. The literature and artwork created during the renaissance differs from that of the Middle English period through its presentation of real human nature, use of Greek mythology, and idea of importance on present life. The renaissance was a critical moment in the evolution of literary and artistic ideas that marked a break from the previous period's traditionally stale ideas and concepts.

Unlike the exempla and morality plays of the Middle English period, the renaissance artists did not instruct their audience on the moral way to act, but explained their tendency to sin by using real human nature in their works. Use of real human nature in literary form can best be described through Satan's character in Paradise Lost. Milton presents Satan as a proud being who rebels against a "tyrant", and was seen by many as the story's protagonist. This is because people are able to relate to Satan in their desires not to be oppressed, their pride, and their inevitable spur of the moment crime of passions. Furthermore, the artwork of the renaissance also caters to the real nature of people. Hendrick Goltzius's The Fall of Man explores the real nature of human beings by showing us the root of our Satan-like nature Adam and Eve.

The painting shows a nude Adam with Eve eating from the forbidden apples, with Lucifer disguised as a snake lurking just above Eve's head. The look of lust in both Adam and Eve's eyes while they are committing the crime reflects true human nature that is within every one of us. Another work of art that reflects the real human nature is Valentin de Boulogne's Soldiers Playing Cards and Dice (The Cheats). This painting shows soldiers, most likely mercenaries, gambling and cheating each other. The soldiers do not seem to be very well equipped, as three of the soldiers model one piece of armor each. It is because of this downtime and lack of wealth, that they soldiers resort to cheating each other for the money to buy: more armor, more booze, or use it as an investment in more gambling. Therefore producing a painting steeped in the real

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