The textbook is written based on modern concepts. The essence of the new approach is the principles of the history of ideas and genre poetics. Survey and cultural chapters alternate with portraits of the most significant writers and sections devoted to great works. The construction of the textbook and the system of assignments are subject to original methodological development, which makes it possible to clearly trace the movement of the basic concepts characteristic of the Renaissance consciousness. The section “Materials and Documents” introduces a variety of opinions, both dating back to the Renaissance and modern ones. Addressed to students of higher educational institutions.