Download Women and The Renaissance

WOMEN AND THE
RENAISSANCE
QUERELLES DES FEMMES
 The Problem of Women-Debate over proper role of women in
society
 Christine de Pisan 14th century: Chronicle accomplishments of
Great Women+ Survival Manual for Renaissance women and
suggestions for wives of Artisans
 Isabella d’Este (1474-1539)- Example for women to break away
from traditional roles as ornaments + Ruled Mantua(town in N. Italy)
+Patron of Arts + Founded school for young women + wrote 2000
letters about politics and courtly life
QUERELLES DES FEMMES
 Increased access to education. Lost some status to women in
middle ages “ornaments” to middle or upper-class husbands
 CASTIGLIONE-Women were to make themselves pleasing to the
man. Upper class.
 Sexual double standard- Lady like and pure vs. Men permitted to
“sow wild oats”
FEMALE RULERS
 Caterina Sforza of Milan
 Isabella I –Unified Spain with Husband Ferdinad
 Mary Tudor-Ruled England 1553-1558
 Elizabeth I –Ruled England 1558-1603
 Catherine de Medicis_ Ruled France as Regent from 1559-1558
HISTORIAN JOAN KELLY
1977
 Middle class or (Bourgeois) suffered decline along with noble
women during Italian Renaissance
 Middle class women regulated to private sphere while men political
and economic in public sphere
 Sexual Chastity for middle class and nobility while men double
standard
 Homage to women during Medieval Feudalism disappeared with
rise of city-state (see exceptions above)
HISTORIAN JOAN KELLY
1977 CONT.
Female tutors during Middle Ages replaced with male humanistic
tutors or boarding schools that emphasized patriarchal and
misogynous bias. Reduced educational influence of women. Pizan an
exception.