Renaissance in Europe
The renaissance had a significant social impact in Europe. Countries in Europe became capitalist states where people begin to focus on themselves. Secondly, musical and dancing culture was born during the renaissance period. Third, it was during this period that people started to appreciate art.
Renaissance scholars were called Erasmus, Petrarch, Michel de Montaigne, and Guillaume Bude. Renaissance scholars’ view of humanity was more realistic compared to that of ancient Greece. Humanism was viewed as an intellectual movement which begun as a literary movement. They believed that a man was a sentimental and a rational being with the ability to think and make decisions.
Martin Luther was a German priest who begun the church reformation. As a former catholic priest, he wrote ninety-five theses against the atonement of sins in the church. It led to division at the Roman Catholic Church, which gave birth to Protestants movement. Also, his effects were felt across Europe, giving rise to millions of Protestants to date.
Reformation led to the sack of Rome, which was a turning point for both the humanist movement and emperors. The Roman Catholic turned into a hostile camp. Elsewhere in Germany, Lutheranism was establishing itself and intended up spreading across Europe. Counter-reformation resulted in the church’s quest to redevelop its universal authority. Through the use of diplomacy and persuasion, popes of counterreformation were determined to end heresy. The protestant influence outside of Germany was destroyed.
Thomas More wrote Utopia to address the injustice during the renaissance period. In his book, he indirectly criticizes corruption in European politics and religious hypocrisy.
Thomas More was a journalist and a lawyer. He served as a counselor to King Henry of England. He was influenced by his contempt for the corruption that dominated the political space at the time. He also wanted to address the hypocrisy in the church at the time.
King Henry VIII was the king of England between 1509 and 1547 when he died. During his time, he established England as a protestant state breaking with the Roman Catholic Church. His disregard influenced for papal control of governance influenced his decision.
Thomas More refused to acknowledge King Henry VIII as the head to the Church of England. Their ideologies were at odds in several ways. More did not agree with King Henry when he divorced his wife. More held that it was anti-catholic/. Also, when King Henry swore himself as the supreme ruler of the world, Thomas More believed it was undermining the pope. More wrote about socio-political issues that touched corruption at the king’s Palace.
The ultimate fate for Thomas More was execution. After he refused to acknowledge King Henry VIII as the supreme ruler, he was charged with treason. More had the option of taking the oath and receiving pardon but refused. Thomas More was beheaded. In his final words, he said he died as a good servant to the King and God’s first.