Although most of the major Renaissance figures did not actively defy the church, they put the emphasis in their lives elsewhere. An important philosophical influence brought back during this time was humanism, which focused on the deeds, characteristics, and abilities of humans, not of God. Humanism is reflected in Renaissance art, were with new technology the artists went from being focuses on biblical scenes to modern humans. Often painting the people they knew into their works to show the importance of individuals, expressed in a subcategory of humanism called individualism. These Renaissance ideas spread from north Italy, and by the 16th century had made it to the Netherlands and Germany, as well as people in England like William Shakespeare and inspired them to step away from classical themes of the medieval era. This revival of interest in Greek and Roman influences also stimulated developments in science. Things such as Botany, zoology, alchemy, and astrology/astronomy were developed during the Renaissance as a result of the study of ancient texts. Scientific thinkers such as Leonardo da Vinci, Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo, Tycho Brahe, and Johannes Kepler attempted to refine earlier thoughts on general science as well. In summation, this time period lead to the revival of Greek and Roman ideas and caused new discoveries in science, art, and