Describe Humanism and the Renaissance and how they differed from the social reality of the Middle Ages

Humanism during the Renaissance promulgated the idea that
expresses the values of humanity, that is human beings, and celebrates that value.
Renaissance Humanists valued classical learning and studied the classics in the original
Greek and Roman. Humanist thinking is often reflected in the art of the Renaissance
period which often depicts people quite realistically (even anatomically correct at
times.) Humanism did not deny the existence of God; but rather held that man was God's
greatest creation and should be celebrated as such.The great Humanist thinkers of the
day were people like Disiderious Erasmus who found errors in the Vulgate translation of
the Bible; and Sir Thomas More. The works of great artists such as Michaelangelo and
Leonardo reflect humanist ideals.

During the Middle Ages,
the typical concept of human beings were that they were imperfect, sinful, and moving
through temporary lives. Speculation and experimentation were discouraged, as this would
lead to error, which would lead to sin. The art of the period does not depict people
realistically, nor does it show emotion or perspective. The only authorities accepted
during this period were Aristotle and the Bible; curiously because Medieval Scholars
believed that those two authorities complemented each other. The prevailing doctrine,
the study of these two authorities, was known as Scholasticism. This was rejected by
Renaissance thinkers who went beyond these two authorities in search of greater meaning.
The great Medieval thinkers were people such as St. Thomas Aquinas and St.
Jerome.