Women in the Renaissance
The condition of women during renaissance was not much different from their condition during middle ages. Women were under various types of subjugation though a slight change was observed in the condition and role in the women who belonged to elite class. There was a huge disparity between the condition of elite class and common women. Elite class women were beneficiary of the changes that were brought by renaissance. They participated in different activities and played significant role in the contemporary society. This paper intends to discuss the role of women during renaissance period.
Renaissance was a period of new thoughts, revolutionary ideas and changes. Renaissance affected the mindset of the male dominated society. Men increased their participation in studies, debates and various other academic activities. At the same time, some eminent scholars advocated for the women education and Thomas More was one of them. More also encouraged Margaret, his daughter for higher studies and she was a known scholar of philosophy, mathematics, logic, theology, Latin and Greek.
More inspired other nobles to educate their daughters. One factor that inspired nobles and elite class men to educate their daughters was their acceptance that educated women benefit them in various ways. Men during renaissance period encouraged women education but without compromising with household duties of women. In the changed circumstances, many women emerged prominently in different areas. Women emerged in different roles; they became good painters, musicians and writers (Huntley, 2009).
Isabella D’ Este was an Italian woman who was multitalented. Her paintings were compared with Leonardo Da Vinci, the embodiment of renaissance male. Isabella was blessed with excellent musical skills. She used to play a number of musical instruments. Isabella was a vivid reader and had maintained her own library with a huge collection of books. Isabella was also an accomplished administrator who ruled her dukedom when her husband was caught during a war.
Another Italian woman, Alessandra Scala was an eminent scholar of Greek language. Very few scholars in entire Europe were able to equal to her talent. Lucrezia Tornabuoni used to write hymns and was very famous among people. Marguerite was a very talented statesman but failed in leading France just because of being woman. Her brother, Francis I kept taking her advices in ruling France. Marguerite was a talented writer and used to express her views in her writings. She also wrote dozens of love poems. Marguerite challenged various rituals of Catholic Church in her book, “Heptameron” (Huntley, 2009).
Vittoria Colonna was another woman of renaissance times who proved her merit through her works. Colonna belonged to a family that was linked to pope and thirty cardinals along with various influential roman families. Colonna wrote sonnets and other literary works. Artemisia Gentilischi was one of the most skilled painters of her times. She painted various luminous paintings. Sofonisba Anguissola was another talented woman painter of renaissance period who created number of paintings. Anguissola had five other sisters who also were known artists and painters (Huntley, 2009).
Having observed an overview and succinct analysis of the abovementioned subject, this paper concludes that women in renaissance period did not enjoy very honorable position. However, many women achieved higher position and reputation due to their talent. Women of elite class only enjoyed the privilege of showing their talent. Overall the condition of women was deteriorated in the society as they were deprived of education and training.
Reference
Huntley, T., 2009. Women in the Renaissance. New York: Crabtree Publishing Company.
