The word renaissance comes from the French language meaning "rebirth". This rebirth of man may have been caused by the broadening horizons of man's geography and knowledge. This time period was marked by legendary explorers such as John Cabot, Vasco de Gama, Balboa, Magellan Hernando Cortés. Scientists also made great strides during this time period: Nicolas Copernicus developed the theory that planets orbit around the sun, Galileo was the first person to see the sky with a telescope, and later, Sir Isaac Newton invented calculus, formulated the three laws of motion and proposed the concept of gravity. Where previously in the medieval period most people studied divinity, the renaissance turns to the studies of politics, society and Greek. With these newfound studies religion played less of role in peoples lives. The favored qualities in a person moved from being religious to having a wide variety of skills and knowledge from the arts and sciences. Literature became a pro!
             fession as the printing press was developed. The change from one set of beliefs to another was not instantaneous, and was not accepted by all people. During the period of transition, there was much tension between the church and the English government and its people. People began to question authority during the renaissance; this is exemplified by Henry VIII's proclamation as the head of the Church of England and the beginning of the reformation lead by Martin Luther. With the advent of the printing press, great writers emerged such as: William Shakespeare, Thomas More, Edmund Spencer, Francis Bacon andJohn Milton. Christopher Marlowe in Doctor Faustus tells a tale of a man whose renaissance ideals conflict with previously held medieval beliefs. Faustus's struggle between renaissance and medieval ideals leads to his tragic fall.
             Faustus having already achieved renaissance knowledge looks back towards medieval and theolog...