Renaissance Literature refers to the body of work produced during the Renaissance period, roughly from the 14th to the 17th century. This era marked a revival of interest in classical Greek and Roman texts, leading to a flourishing of arts and letters. Writers began to explore humanism, focusing on individual experience and the potential of humanity, which was a shift from the medieval emphasis on religion. Key figures in Renaissance Literature include William Shakespeare, Dante Alighieri, and Machiavelli. Their works often featured themes of love, power, and the complexities of human nature. The period also saw the development of new literary forms, such as the sonnet and the essay, which greatly influenced modern literature.