Final answer:
Showing character and individualism became important during the Renaissance, a time significant for personal expression and cultural rebirth, marking a departure from the collective-centered Medieval period.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of "showing character" as an important aspect of the self became highly significant during the Renaissance. Before this time, in the Medieval period, European society was more focused on the collective and adherence to social hierarchies and religious doctrine. However, the Renaissance sparked a significant shift in how individuals saw themselves and their place in the world, fostering human awareness, individualism, and self-awareness. This period was marked by a cultural rebirth and was steeped in the revival of ancient knowledge in areas like science, art, mathematics, engineering, and broader cultural advancement. The Renaissance is when people began to view themselves as distinct from their medieval predecessors, aiming to reclaim and build upon the scholarly and artistic achievements they associated with the ancients.
Counter to the so-called "Dark Ages," the Renaissance represented an age of innovation and reinterpretation of classical ideals. Consequently, demonstrating one's character and individual achievements became increasingly important, differentiating oneself through contributions to the arts, literature, and science. This new focus on individual merit and personal development continued to evolve, impacting later philosophical movements, such as the Enlightenment, and shaping the modern understanding of the self.