Question

Although Renaissance humanists generally dismissed women’s intellectual abilities, a few educated women like the renowned author Christine de Pizan and the Duchess Eleonora d’Aragona produced writing that clearly indicated their interest and knowledge in areas considered outside of the women’s realm. Review the excerpts in your textbook from Christine de Pizan’s The Book of the Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry and from the letter of Eleonora d’Aragona, then match each author to her standpoints in these passages. (some items may have more than one match.)

Christine de Pizan:
Eleonora d’Aragona:

1. indicates that her status as a woman renders it impossible for her to undertake necessary action on her own
2. gives advice to powerful men about military affairs
3. compares herself to the Roman goddess Minerva to prove her ability to write about military tactics
4. describes soldiers’ actions based on her discussions with people affected by those actions

Answer 1

Christine de Pizan: 2 and 3
- She addresses and gives military advice to powerful men, and explicitly likens herself to Minerva to justify writing about tactics.

Eleonora d’Aragona: 1 and 4
- She notes that, as a woman, she cannot take certain actions herself and reports on soldiers’ behavior based on what she learned from those affected.