Final answer:
Option b accurately summarizes the passage, emphasizing how Gutenberg's introduction of the movable type printing press in Europe led to a stark contrast in book production and accessibility before and after its invention, fueling the Renaissance and Reformation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer that best summarizes the passage on books before and after Gutenberg is option b: The passage compares books before and after the Gutenberg printing press. This passage details how the invention of the movable type printing technology by Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized book production and literacy, contrasting the painstaking hand-copying process by monks in monasteries before Gutenberg with the rapid dissemination of printed books after. The impact of this technology is highlighted in the spread of knowledge, facilitating the Renaissance and the Reformation by making books, such as the Bible, accessible to a wider audience.
Gutenberg's invention was pivotal for Europe, as it led to the printing revolution, increased book production, the fall in illiteracy rates, and played a significant role in spreading Renaissance humanism and the ideas of reformers like Martin Luther. The invention not only made texts available in the vernacular for the general population but also aided in the propagation of classical Greek and Roman texts, which were essential to Europe's intellectual rebirth during the Renaissance.
The printing revolution commenced with Gutenberg's first edition of 180 Bibles in 1455 and rapidly spread to become an indispensable element of European culture. By the late 15th century, almost every large European city had at least one printing press, with Venice becoming the printing capital of Europe. The introduction of the printing press also facilitated the critical questioning of traditional authorities and religious dogma, leading to significant shifts in European society and thought.