Final answer:
Hernán Cortés's personality was marked by ambition and he was motivated by wealth, glory, and power. He was considered a Renaissance man for his multifaceted role in the Spanish exploration and conquest of the Aztec Empire, which expanded Spain’s empire and influenced Spanish Renaissance culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hernán Cortés, a key figure in the Spanish exploration of the Americas, had a personality characterized by ambition and strategic thinking, traits which were essential to his success as a conquistador.
His character combined ruthlessness with charisma, enabling him to forge alliances and conquer lands. Cortés was motivated by the quest for personal glory, wealth, and a desire to secure a position of power within the Spanish Empire. His conquest of the Aztec Empire, and the subsequent acquisition of vast amounts of wealth, including gold, shaped his legacy as a pivotal Renaissance figure.
He was considered a Renaissance man due to his multiple roles as an explorer, military leader, and governor, exhibiting the diverse skills and worldly curiosity that exemplified Renaissance humanism. His actions led to the expansion of Spain’s empire and influenced the development of Spanish Renaissance culture by introducing new resources and wealth that contributed to a broader cultural bloom.