Women And Writing In Renaissance - Essay Example

of Critical Writing: Women And Writing In Renaissance Introduction Period of renaissance means ‘Rebirth’ but this rebirth and change was only limited to men in the renaissance period. During this time period women were treated as a mere commodity and were considered as inferior to men. There had been a lot of progress and development during Renaissance Era in different fields, such as; arts, literature, science and architecture. Not only did the industries prospered during this period but the status of their living also increased. But all these changes were meant for men alone, women were only expected to be wives, mothers and they were more or less restricted to their homes where their main task was to take care of the family. There had very little say outside their homes (Kathleen, 2006). Women in the working class were more or less treated as slaves, they were not even allowed to gain educational skills but their education was only limited to house hold skills such as weaving and other home talents. While in the upper class women had no say in the businesses of their families, they did not have any right over the property. But only thing in which they were given liberty was that they could acquire education. Thus women prospered in this field and due to this some prominent women stood up in the period of renaissance (Huntley, 2009). They were not only major contributors in the field of arts but they gained popularity through their poetry and writings in other fields as well. These women tried to raise status and position of women in the society through their piece of art and literature. In this period some of the most prominent women writers and poets emerged, such as; Moderata Fonte, Tullia D’ Argona, Laura Cereta, Lucrezia Marinella, Elizabeth 1, Marguerite Da Navarre, etc. These women through their writing not only tried to eliminate malpractices and inequalities against women but also changed the role and position of women in the society. These women accomplished in major fields, such as literature, arts and most importantly politics. Criticism of the Article These women not only tried to work in interest of the women but some even went against men and through their writing capabilities proved that men were nothing without women. Men attacked women on their credibility, and efforts were always made to prove women as a weaker part of the society. Giuseppe Passi was one of those male writers who spoke badly of women in the society by criticizing her in every aspect from her looks to her credibility. Thus, in response to Passi’s writing in 1599, “Dei Donnoschi Difetti”, Lucrezia Marinella composed a rigorous writing “The Nobility And Excellence Of Women, And The Defects And Vices Of Men” in 1600. In this writing Marinella portrayed women as a mistress and a lady, who deserves to be respected. In her writing she named women from five different languages and stated her as Doona, Femina, Eva, Isciah And Multier. She stated that a woman is pure and she attributed her with the following characteristic such as “Production And Regeneration, Earthly Fire And Light, Soul, Life, Divine Radiance, Delicacy And Mercy, And Lordly Dominion.” ( Marinella, 1600). Further she stated that a woman not only provides man with comfort but she takes care of him all his life. Man is completely dependent on women because the roles women play in men life are clearly remarkable. She provides him with life and soul, enlightens his life with divine light, bestows upon him worldly heat and light, spends her life with him in a completely friendly and well-mannered manner and runs his affairs in the most democratic and friendly authority. Finally she cites women as the noblest creature in the world by stating her as “Life, Fertility, Mercy And Dominion”( Marinella, 1600). Marinella in her writing very beautifully debated against all the attacks that Passi has enrolled on women in his book. Passi’s objections and statements were those that were on the lips on every male individual in the society at that specific moment. Thus to remove those cruelties Marnilla’s work holds a great position, her writing had not only spoken highly of women capabilities and skills but also eliminated (not a complete extend but to a certain level) voices against women. In her writing she criticized men over every aspect and in response to that spoke highly for women. She stated that the true beauty can be identified through two main factors, i.e. the soul and material. Further she stated that women’s beauty is not only limited to their appearance but also their soul. Whatever statement she gave, she ensured that they were backed up by some other writers’ opinion, these opinions were either written as quotations or poetry. She narrated Boccaaccio’ quotation from L’amorasa Visione in the following words: “And from what idea it could it could take the form and so beautiful a design, and brilliant light, I defeated by doubt, could not say.” ( Marinella, 1600) She narrated a lot of other quotations as well in some women’s beauty reflected from her eyes, lips, hair her structure and her features and man always been attracted to the natural beauty of women. In all her writing she tried to raise the position of women to at least the level of man by stating that women are nobler than men. She validates her point by stating that a man is made from mud while a woman is made from the man’s rib, thus concluding that women are more nobler than men because a rib is more nobler than a mud. Marnilla’s work was undoubtedly remarkable but during critics, she overlooked some factors and took the criticisms too serious. Thus it can be stated that she responded to them with extreme behavior as well. She not only openly criticizes men but also she became a little personal when dealing with this issue. Her concern for women was no doubt important but the approach she used was a little inappropriate. She attacked men vigorously and declared them as inferior to women and also criticized those writers who stated men and women equal. She not only attacked those male writers but also some contemporary female writers in the renaissance era, such as Moderata Fonte. Marnilla’s discussed her in reference to the nobility of women. Moderata Fonte wrote in Floridoro, “and why if their nature is shared, if their substances do not differ”. But Marnilla’s challenged this statement as well by stating in her writing, “Women souls were created nobler than men’s, as can be seen from the effect they have and from the beauty of their bodies.” (Marinella, 1600) Further Marinella divides her writing in two main forms, in the first part she praises women in different perspective and highlights her positive and constructive intrinsic worth. While in the second half she criticizes men for their destructive and negative values (Chicago press, 1999). She highlights women’s virtues, and pointed out her compromises the females make for her families. Further, Marinella mentions that women holds distinguish qualities within themselves, they are not only great managers (because they manage the household chores so effectively) but their compromising and flexible nature molds them to do all tasks flawlessly. This can be seen in the most-modern era when women started to participate in the businesses and became successful entrepreneurs. This shows that women strove hard to attain their position in the society, because women who were treated as just useless commodities in the renaissance area they became productive and efficient in the post-modern era. This shows that women writers efforts were fruitful and thus even after so many cultural and political constraints they acquired a new position in the society. It was due to their capabilities, values, and qualities that they created a new identity in the male dominant society. Thus after rigorous efforts, finally women acquired a position in the society and it was due to their hard work that during the end of renaissance era prominent women stood out. Women did not only attain position in the field of literature but some also became notable rulers. Most prominent amongst them were, Diana De Poiters, Elizebeth Of Gorlitz, Isabllea1, and Margrett Of Australia. These were truly the renaissance women because these they were not only contributors and patrons of art and literature but their contribution are extremely high, especially in flourishing the renaissance period. They were not only controlling their destinies but in some way were running and leading men as well (Brown, 2007). Other writers Before 1500 there were only few publications of women writers but between the 1500 and 1640 there were over one hundred works of English women. Thus during this time period a lot of women writers emerged in different parts of the world, but most prominently in Italy, England And France. Women writers wrote on different topics such as religion, motherhood, social commentary and others. These women wrote prose narratives, poetry, prayers, essays, confessions, diaries, letters, prefaces and translated a lot of other previous writings as well. Some of these writings were even published in scholarly journals while some were formed as books. Elizabeth 1 contributed greatly to women renaissance writing because it was efforts that gave women liberty to write (Michael, 2005). Elizabeth 1 not only promoted the women writers but she herself produced substantial poetry and letters (Hopkins, 2002). Her contribution to the literature was remarkable that even after her death women’s intellectual aspiration increased. But her death also halted the literature development pace among women because published secular works decreased. (Michael, 2005). Furthermore, Queens Of Scots and Mary also had remarkable contribution in the field of writing. Thus they were known as the Writing Renaissance Queens. There were some other French and Italian poets as well that contributed greatly in the renaissance period. Jeanne de La Font was a writer and a French poet that composed some administrative, literary and devotional compositions. Women in the renaissance were not only involved in poetry and but also played a major role in literacy culture. These women used to hold proper evenings in which discussions used to be made regarding new ideas and writings. Furthermore, women developed themselves as poets, philosophers, unorthodox thinkers, editors and publishers. Further some other writings in the renaissance period that emerged among the women writers were salons, salonneries, and women writers, virtual salons, women in renaissance dialogues, sonnet writing, letter writing and literary patronage. Among them Laura Cereta was a female letter-writer who made incredible contribution in the field of literature (Robin, Larsen & Levin, 2007). There were various other female writers as well and together they produced remarkable literature that was not only beneficial in the renaissance but even today. Conclusion Renaissance period purely brought renovation and revolution in the lives of not only men but also women. Transformation of women’s status and their position was unremarkable altered and all this credit does go to purely women themselves. They not only attained knowledge and made best use of their skills and expertise of literature, arts, poetry and writing but they also stood up in other fields as well. Even though women faced a lot of troubles and obstacles in acquiring their position in the society, but still they fought against all the norms, taboos and other cultural constraints. Thus they were successful in changing the most important concept, i.e. “women’s inferiority as compared to men”. This inequality was justified in this era which was the biggest achievement that all these women acquired. During the renaissance period, a lot of women writers emerged and they portrayed women as an effective member of the society. Furthermore, through their own successful and outstanding work they proved that women were both productive and efficient in all fields of life and they are equally competent as compared to men. Likewise other writers, Marinella’s writing, “The Nobility And Excellence Of Women, And The Defects And Vices Of Men” was a remarkable work. This work emerged confidence among the women in the society. Women not only got acquainted with their virtues and qualities they possessed but it also provided a platform for women’s succession. It was due to these women writers that today in this current world woman enjoys all the powers. They have the same status and position that men have; they are treated equally as men, are respected, and are given a lot of privilege. Further more, it is due to the efforts of renaissance women writers, that today women are equally participating in every field with men and stands side by side to men. References Chicago Press, 1999, The Nobility And Excellence Of Women And The Defects And Vices Of Men, Accessed 6th April, 2010 from http://www.pinn.net/~sunshine/book-sum/marinela.html Brown, Lorrie, 2007, Renaissance Women Who Ruled: Notable Female Rulers Of The European Renaissance, Accessed 6th April, 2010 from http://weuropeanhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/renaissance_women_who_ruled Kathleen, Simpson, 2006, Women In The Renaissance, Accessed 6th April, 2010 from http://books.google.com.pk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=D5Ig_MsPcIcC&oi=fnd&pg=PT2&dq=women+in+the+renaissance&ots=yEAs4TuDAU&sig=xKLgJUC41Hf6izOXg2qu45evO08#v=onepage&q=&f=false Huntley, Theresa, 2009, Women In Renaissance: Renaissance World, Accessed 6th April, 2010 from http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=PrR9NUITN3YC&dq=women+in+the+renaissance&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s Robin, Diana Maury, Larsen, Anne R, Levin, Carole, 2007, Encyclopedia Of Women In The Renaissance: Italy, France And England, Accessed 6th April, 2010 from http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=OQ8mdTjxungC&dq=women+and+writing+in+the+rennaissance&source=gbs_navlinks_s Michael, Best, 2001, Women Writers, Accessed 6th April, 2010 from http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/literature/women.html Hopkins, Lisa, 2002, Writings Renaissance Queens: Texts By And About Elizabeth 1 And Mary, Queens Of Scots, Accessed 6th April, 2010 from http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=xyi2Urt-odgC&dq=women+and+writing+in+the+rennaissance&source=gbs_navlinks_s 010 from Read More