Author(s): Purvie Singh, Ashok Singh Rao

Abstract: The Renaissance, spanning the 14th to 17th centuries, marked a profound cultural and intellectual transformation in Europe that continues to shape global literary traditions. This study examines the impact of Renaissance humanism on the development of literature by analyzing its influence on poetry, prose, and drama, as well as its intersections with visual culture and global exchange. Through a qualitative and interdisciplinary approach informed by cultural studies and new historicism, the paper situates Renaissance literature within its socio-political and artistic contexts, highlighting the role of patronage, artistic experimentation, and colonial encounters. The findings reveal that the Renaissance was not a homogeneous “rebirth” but a contested and dynamic process, simultaneously preserving classical ideals and creating new forms of literary modernity. This study contributes to international scholarship by reframing the Renaissance as both a European and a global phenomenon, whose legacy endures in modern literary and cultural thought.

Keywords: Renaissance, Humanism, English Literature, Classical Revival, Early Modern Europe, Cultural Identity, Literary Innovation

Article Info: Received: 22 Aug 2025; Received in revised form: 20 Sep 2025; Accepted: 24 Sep 2025; Available online: 27 Sep 2025

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.105.35