Final answer:
The two major characteristics of the Italian Renaissance were secularism and individualism, marked by a cultural shift emphasizing worldly subjects and the importance of individual human potential and achievements. Hence, the correct answer is option C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two major characteristics of the Italian Renaissance were secularism and individualism. The Renaissance was a time of great cultural and intellectual rebirth led by a rediscovery of the classical works of ancient Greece and Rome.
During this period, there was a notable shift away from the strictly religious themes of the Middle Ages towards more worldly subjects. Meanwhile, individualism emerged as a prominent theme, with art and literature celebrating human achievement and potential, and the recognition of the individual's role in society's progress.
Renowned artists like Michelangelo and da Vinci produced works that emphasized human form and personal expression. The patronage of the arts by the church and wealthy Italian families, like the Medici, also reflects these Renaissance ideals.