Here's why:
* Printing Press: The invention of the printing press in the 15th century made it possible to mass-produce books, which led to a wider readership and a demand for longer, more complex narratives.
* Shifting Focus: The Renaissance saw a shift away from the dominant medieval focus on religion and spirituality towards a greater interest in human experience, individual lives, and the complexities of the world.
* Early Novels: Early examples of novels emerged in this period, such as Miguel de Cervantes' *Don Quixote* (1605) and *The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe* by Daniel Defoe (1719).
While the novel as a form continued to evolve and flourish throughout subsequent centuries, its roots can be traced back to the Renaissance era.