The Disenchantments of Love I

On a superficial level these disenchantments appear to portray men in a kindly light, as people who have to deal with the betrayals that women inflict upon them. A more intense look at the stories proves that “it’s men who are the cause of women’s faults (114)”. These faults are often caused by the deceits and trickery that men use to get their own way.

In many ways deceit and trickery are the foundation of the disenchantments. Without them the women wouldn’t be forced into the positions they find themselves in when it comes to men and their intentions regarding love and marriage. The women who have experienced deceit and trickery (Isabel and Angeliana) are more likely to use the same methods in the future to get what they want.

The code of honor represented in the stories is a double edged sword. The women feel as though they are forced to live within its confines while the men act as though it doesn’t apply to them. This breach with the code leads to all the problems. If men acted as honorably as the women are expected to there would be no deceit and trickery in relationships.

In “Slave to Her Own Lover” Isabel is doing what she believes to be right. Society has influenced her reaction to her rape by Manuel. She is ashamed and believes that she has lost her honor. Society dictates that she is at fault and will lose her reputation and position if it becomes known. “The minute he becomes your husband the slip is mended (54)”. Isabel decided the course she follows in an attempt to save herself from shame. I think it would have been easier to let Manuel leave for Sicily. With her rape still a secret from the general population, she could have still married. Instead she deceives everyone, as Manuel deceived her, and ends up spending the rest of her life as a slave. She thinks this best represents her position in life— as a slave to what society dictates and believes. Isabel’s contradicting identities serve as a parallel to her relationship with Manuel. When she is a Christian Manuel is infatuated with her and won’t stop his pursuit. When she is a Muslim she is determined to be Manuel’s wife and won’t stop what she is doing. Isabel finds it easier to believe in herself and is more sure of her actions when she is pretending to be a Moorish slave.

I don’t think that this quotation excuses men from blame. Lisarda is trying to explain that women often help to cause their own misfortune whether they mean to or not. Men have such lowly opinions because women declare their intentions to do one thing but are willing to do another when they think they are going to get what they from the men. Rather than give into men with nothing but promises women should wait until they’ve gotten what the men promised. Octavia’s mess could have been avoided if she hadn’t listened to Carlos’s empty promises. I find it intriguing that she knew she wasn’t good enough for him, because she was poor, but she believed that it would all work out when he promised to marry her. Women shouldn’t go against what they know to be true where men are concerned on the basis of promises that have been made—promises are easy to break.

The supernatural element allowed Juan to escape the punishment that was meant for him attempting to seduce another man’s wife. It appears that he, the one intending to sin, is being saved while Roseleta, the virtuous one, is being punished. I think this element is relating that not all men who are punished are guilty of the crime, but not all guilty men are punished. Juan being saved by the hanged man increased the tension between Roseleta and Pedro. I think the inclusion of the supernatural was meant to save Roseleta and Juan from dishonor, but it didn’t accomplish it.

The City of Ladies II

This reading is Christine’s attempt to establish her feminine authority. She shouldn’t need to establish her authority in her campaign to prove the men wrong. Because she is a woman she understands women and their faults better than the men scholars could ever hope to. She realizes that the behaviors proclaimed by men aren’t innate, rather a product of how their treatment. I think it’s also important that she realizes “that there are very different kinds of women, and some unreasonable…”

She begins by discussing the marriage and education of women. Marriage is expected. It had been said that “no wise man should take a wife, because there are too many worries with women… a loyal servant could better and more loyally care for him and serve him and would not cost him nearly as much…” The general consensus that the men come to is that women are ‘uncontrollable’. Christine refutes this with “For men are masters over their wives… who would never allow their lives to have such authority.” I feel like she is basically asking why the scholars would say this when it is clear that it isn’t feasible. Women have no rights and therefore can’t possibly be in control of anything.

 Education is the controversial topic. I find it interesting that it isn’t only men that want to deny women education, it’s also other women. Many men argue against educating women by saying that “their mores would be ruined as a result.” It is difficult to see how education could ruin anyone’s morals, whether male or female. I think it could be argued that education can help a person better understand why morals and exist. This could lead to them feeling a greater responsibility to live, and work, towards a better standard through their actions.

The other way in which she attempts to establish an authority is by relating tales of women. The tales of women that she has chosen are meant to empower the women that read this. Many of the stories are of women who have acted kindly towards saints, aided them in whatever ways they could, and have been rewarded for their actions. The longest and most detailed story is that of Ghismunda. This story was written by Boccaccio, a man. A first glance this story epitomizes all the fears that men have. Ghismunda sneaks behind her father’s back and takes a lover. They meet in secret without any chance of a marriage between them because her lover is a servant. Her father is heart-broken when he finds out. I find it important that she found a secret lover because she didn’t want to hurt her father by implying that his love wasn’t enough. When all is revealed she doesn’t lie about it. She takes responsibility and is ready to suffer the consequences of her actions.

The City of Ladies I

There are two reasons why Christine is humble and acts gullible during the beginning of the text. She is poking fun at the men’s positions while making it clear that they don’t know what they are talking about. This is best characterized by the lines “And I finally decided that God formed a vile creature when He made woman, and I wondered how such a worthy artisan could have deigned to make such an abominable work… (172)”. Through her actions, the reader is able to predict that the men’s ideas and positions will be negated through a clever argument.

One of the ways in which Christine emphasizes her early actions is through repetition. She often repeats that “… all the philosophers and poets and from all the orators… it seems as though they all speak from one and the same mouth (172)”. Another repetitious thought is that “… I relied more on the judgment of others than on what I myself felt and knew (172)”. This is important contemplation because it sets the stage for the “Three Ladies” to come in and bring Christine back to her original position.

To defend women Christine uses the visit of the “Three Ladies”. These Ladies are sent by God to help those in need. It is difficult to argue against these Ladies, sent by God, as they right a wrong. These Ladies are imposing figures and have the ability to speak with reason in such a way that it is difficult to find fault with what they say. They emphasize that “… these same philosophers contradict and criticize one another… (174)”. If this is true, which we are told it is then none of their opinions of women can be correct.