Why We Do What We Do

William Shakespeare said, “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” This quote kept coming to mind as we talked about the individuals and themes of the renaissance. As the discussion progressed from Petrarch’s experience on the top of mount Ventoux to the influence that William Shakespeare had on England I could not help but ask myself, what was it that drove all these philosophers, authors, theologians, and artist to make the impact that they had on society? How were all these individuals able to find it within themselves to go against the norm and create something new?   

During the high renaissance which took place in Italy and headed northward during the years of 1450 to 1550, more and more people began to realize they had a capacity to achieve something more in this life depending upon how persistent and diligent they were at working towards a specific goal. These goals could vary greatly from one person to another and were usually dependent upon what was important to that certain individual. The principle of humanism in a sense set free those who had different ideas or beliefs and began to promote the creation of new ways of thinking.

Not only did people realize they could be more but they also began to stand up for what they believed in which lead to many great changes. Take Martin Luther for instance. He believed that the Catholic Church was in error and had fallen away from how God’s church should be. As a result of his belief, he took a stand against the Church and in 1517 nailed his 95 theses to the Church’s door thus beginning the protestant reformation. The belief Luther had that religion needed to change was strong enough to him to justify the risk.

 Luther’s actions in turn took the supremacy from the Church to govern individuals and gave power to the common man. This reformation put religion in the hands of the common man and changed modern religion. Having control over the way one’s own religion was expressed and opened the door to allow individuals to worship according to what they believed to be right.

The beliefs that we have vary widely. As Montaigne’s of cannibals showed it is ultimately our perspective that drives us to develop certain beliefs and customs. The environment in which we are raised and the values that we have dictate what we do with our lives. The fact that humanism was so prevalent in the renaissance meant that change was inevitable because people believed that they could change.

Change came quickly because of the devotion people had to their faith and the courage that humanism instilled in them lead them to act. As Charles Dubois said, “The most important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are; for what we could become.” The reformers of renaissance truly did sacrifice what they were to pursue that which they thought they could achieve.