What Are The Expectations That Shaped Women's Lives In Sixteenth-Century Venice

The language and behavior that was used and expected outside of the house was expected to be very formal and extremely proper. The only social activities that were appropriate for women to attend were the ones that raised little or no approval from the men in the society. When women attended a public event with their husbands, they were expected to display obedience and respect to all of the people they confronted. Faithfulness and loyalty were expected to be given to all of the people that were important to the women throughout their lives.(“Women”) If the women were attending something in the town square, they were expected to have a stand where they sold fruits or breads, spun wool, and threaded silk for the other town members.

“ The belief that women were inherently inferior in intelligence, strength, and character was so persuasive that for men like Knox, a woman ruler was almost a contradiction in terms” (“Documents for Chapters 5&6”). In the 16th century, women were looked upon as a gender that should stay in the house and work, not have power and rule over a country. Discussing the govern of Queens during the 16th century, such as Mary Tudor, Lady Jane Grey, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth I, allowed prejudices to be lessened but never completely be erased. No matter how these four notable ladies came into power, the accomplishments they overcame, achieved and wrote about proved to be great and substantial in making history as it is written today.

The Courtier, originally written as a “courtesy book”, can now be considered to provide significant insight into the norms and practices associated with courtship and gender during the Renaissance era. The book’s third volume is a particularly insightful window into 16th century romantic ideals. Throughout Book Three, Baldassare Castiglione builds an elaborate perspective on what makes the perfect court lady, what sexual and social behavior is acceptable, and how an ideal couple (both courtier and court lady) should function.

One of the most fundamental themes while reading Shakespeare is the prominent reminder of women at the end of the 16th century and their roles placed under men, as women were a threat to the masculinity, and thus, power held by men. There are clear misogynistic elements in all of the works performed through Shakespeare’s plays, most predominantly appearing in The Taming of the Shrew. As quoted within texts and contexts of this play, the reader becomes aware that The Taming of the Shrew “participates in a tenacious popular tradition of depicting domestic violence as funny” (Dolan

A critical point in European history was the Renaissance period, which took place between 1300-1700. The term Renaissance stands for ‘rebirth’, and in this context refers to the increased interest that was taken in learning from Greek and Roman classical writing. Recent exploration by historians into the Renaissance period has seen a fixation on the discussion of the role of gender during the Renaissance. A variety of historians, such as Joan Kelly and Merry E. Weisner, believe that women didn’t experience any form of a Renaissance during this period. It can be widely acknowledged that during this period society did experience a ‘rebirth’, especially in terms of the role of the men in Europe. Women, on the other hand, weren’t as fortunate.

In the primary source, it talks about women from the upper class who gain prestige and power through widowhood. While lower class women had more freedom in their early life with work and marriage, upper class women were pressured to keep the wealth going throughout generations which led to a great deal of pressure to marry a rich man and benefit from that in any way that they could. The source focuses on a woman named Alessandra, who lived in the years between 1450-1465; married a wealthy merchant, named Matteo Strozzi, who then died of the plague thus leaving her with branches of businesses all across Europe and a sudden new access to these things that her husband previously took charge of. She talked to her sons about their role in the family with political, marital, and economical issues and duties for the family. She talked to her daughters about the men they should strive to marry and the duties they have at home that they should learn and do to

The Renaissance, with took place in Italy and Northern Europe, inspired major changes in social life. Humanism, or the idea that men needed to educate themselves to be the best humans, was one of the reasons for these changes. They started going to schools and expressing themselves artistically, these new actions brought about the belief that men were superior. The assumed role of men during the Renaissance was to be dominant. They were to fight in battles and wars, hold a position for office, and do honor to their family name. In comparison, the roles of women were drastically different, they were submissive. It was thought that women should obey her husband and father, bear children, and not be educated, as many men were.

“-- when a man marries the queen of song he expects her to settle at once at once to the nest and remain there”-- meaning that women were basically expected to give up their social lives once they get married, and to just live the way their husbands wanted them to.

The women were to be passive and obedient to their husbands. Women were looked to be inferior to men, which lead to scientific sexism later. Not only were women physically inferior , they were intellectually inferior. They would obey their husbands no matter what. If the man asked her to do something she would do it.

Society’s influence of male domination over women's bodies, minds and economy force women to adhere to a male view. Women during this time period were directed to become exceptional housewives and mothers instead of reaching for specific careers or financial independency. Instead, society encouraged women into becoming domestic, obedient housewives who were discouraged to go against their husbands, brothers or any male. Women were to obey men and their requests, or suffer the consequences of isolation or ostracized by other

To be a woman in Renaissance Italy, was to be someone with limitations. Limitations to

As many may think, women weren’t as important during the renaissance period. Some seem to believe that women had it easier than they do today. Some even believe that they had much more power and independence. If only that were true. Women who showed too much independence, sexual or otherwise, were punished and sometimes even killed (Wiesner 59). Women were made to be seen as saints and remained loyal to one man. During the renaissance period, women went through many hardships and many things were expected of her by her family, as well as her husband. You might ask, what was marriage, education, and employment like for women during the renaissance period?

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare was an in depth play that contains many issues over race, sexuality, and gender. William Shakespeare does a great job at portraying the characters views on these issues. The conflicts between the characters are captivating. This play has constant complications that can be related to modern times. Right off the bat Shakespeare introduces the characters as having values of honorability, love, passion, and religion. The play is in some way trying to teach us a life lesson. The life lesson would be, if you 're going to be greedy then you will end up with nothing, or if you choose to value people over money you will be honorable. This can be valued in today’s world because some people think that

?Venice is one of the most fascinating places to travel in Europe.? Its intrigue lies in its unique beginnings, its dominant past, and its remarkable people and their buildings.? Its foundation is unique because of the need for protection that drove the early Venetians to their new home and the location of this new dwelling-place:? ?Rarely in human history has a vigorous and progressive civilization arisen in a less likely place than the mud flats of the Venetian lagoon.?1? Venice rose to power by its domination of the sea and reached its climax during the years of the Renaissance.? It is during this time period that it truly became ?the bride of the Adriatic and the unchallenged

The Book of the Courtier is a dialogue between members of an Italian court. This work was written by the Italian writer, Baldesar Castiglione in 1528. The Magnifico is the main character and used to display the author’s viewpoint. Throughout the work, other characters, such as Lord Gaspar, disagree with Magnifico’s viewpoint. Ultimately, Magnifico’s outlook is challenged many times in the book, but with a literary device, Magnifico is given the opportunity to further his argument and communicate his ideas. This essay will discuss the characters’ views on the perfect lady, Castiglione’s viewpoint, gender roles in the Renaissance era, and the noble couple (Court Lady and Courtier).