“If you are a bird, then I am a bird” (The Notebook). This quote from Ryan Gosling in the popular movie The Notebook offers romance and comedy combined. Where does this mix of comedy and romance come from? Romantic comedies were developed through art, poetry, and literature. It has urbanized over the years due to various cultural influences such as war and the Renaissance, which occurred throughout Europe starting from the 14th century and lasting until the 17th century (Spielvogel). There were many artistic influences throughout the history of the European Renaissance that helped create and increase the need for romantic comedies. The European Renaissance was a time when art and literature flourished in Europe. The word renaissance means rebirth. Many people believed they witnessed the rebirth of ancient Greece and Rome during this period. The European Renaissance is sometimes called the Italian Renaissance. The reason for this is because the Renaissance began in Italy and then spread throughout Europe (Spielvogel). The European Renaissance was an important event in the development of romantic comedies. Romantic comedies typically revolve around two people who fall in love. These two characters meet through a combination of circumstances and obstacles. At first these characters deny having emotional feelings for each other. The reason for this rejection is usually due to the fact that one of the characters already has a partner or due to a social standard. Eventually, this issue is put aside and the characters end up dating or, in some cases, getting married. Romantic comedies almost always have a happy ending for all the characters involved in the film, book, or play (Berkowitz 867).Romantic......middle of paper......by Ben Johnson. Ed. 2011.467. Press. Just follow it. Dir. Dennis Dugan. Pert. Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Brooklyn Decker. Columbia Pictures, 2011. DVD. Merchant of Venice. Director Michael Radford. Pert. Al Pacino, Joseph Fiennes, Lynn Collins. Movision, 2004. DVD.Shakespeare, William. “William Shakespeare: The Complete Works” Hertfordshire: Wordsworth Editions Limited, 1996. Print. She's the Man. Dir. Andy Fickmann. Pert. Amanda Bynes, Laura Ramsey, Channing Tatum. DreamWorks SKG, 2006. DVD. Spielvogel, Jackson and National Geographic. “World History Modern Times”. Ohio: Glencoe, 2005. Print.The Notebook. Dir. Nick Cassavetes. Pert. Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, Gena Rowlands. New Line Cinema, 2004. DVD.Thompson, Kristin. "Lubitsch, acting and the silent romantic comedy." History of cinema. vol. 13. No. 4. (2001): 390-408. JSTOR. Network. March 17. 2012.