Which option accurately compares the ideology that influenced Europe during the Middle Ages with the growing ideology of the Renaissance?

A) The Middle Ages was dominated by Catholic thought, whereas the Renaissance was inspired by humanism.

B) The Middle Ages was influenced by gothic learning, whereas the Renaissance followed Romanesque ideas.

C) The Middle Ages followed humanist ideals, whereas the Renaissance followed scholasticism.

D) The Middle Ages followed a democratic system of government, whereas the Renaissance followed a communist system.

The Middle Ages was dominated by Catholic thought, whereas the Renaissance was inspired by humanism.

Option A best captures the comparative nature of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Catholicism was the dominant intellectual and religious expression of the Middle Ages. Largely hierarchical and dominated by the clergy, Catholicism played a very important role in shaping religious, social, political, economic and intellectual life in Medieval Europe. It represented the centrality of God in human life. The Renaissance shifted the focus from God to the achievements and abilities of human beings. Humanistic inquiry dominated the social, political, cultural and intellectual institutions throughout Europe. but especially in Italy where the Renaissance had its greatest influence.