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.