Lucrezia Borgia: Evolution of Historical Perceptions

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A Historiography of Lucrezia Borgia • Introductory paragraph: The name Borgia has become synonymous with corruption, lust, and sinful deeds since the papal reign of Rodrigo Borgia, otherwise known as Alexander VI, and his bastard children Lucrezia, Cesare, and Juan. Some historians depict Lucrezia Borgia as being known for her beauty, and good nature during her life in Rome. Others depict her as a murderous, blood-thirsty monster who openly engaged in acts of incest, and political assassination. It is possible that this young woman exhibited some of the qualities of each account. Lucrezia portrays characteristics of a Machiavellian villain, and also the characteristics of a woman using her means to secure her place in a male dominated society. The multiple marriages, assassination of Alfonso of Aragon, and charges of incest within her family. o Lucrezia’s personal writings in love letters depicting her own character. • Historical opinion of Lucrezia in the 16th Century o Lucrezia as depicted by papal records in the diary of Johannes Buchardus. Mostly factual information with some reference to scandals as they occurred. Becomes the bible of historical writings about the Borgia. o Francesco Guicciardini, The History of Italy (1537), writings about Lucrezia heavily influenced by the Anti-Borgia opinion. o Gender roles and expectations of women in 16th century Italy. o Depictions of corrupt deeds, however reputation has not become extremely villainous. • Historical opinion of Lucrezia in the 17th and 18th Centuries o 1696, Specimen Historiae Arcanae, sive anecdotae de vita Alexandri VI Papae by Leibnitz wrote of the shamefulness, treachery, and cruelty exhibited by the Borgias. o Alexander Gordon, Lives of Pope Alexaner VI and his Son Cesare Borgia (1729), depicts Lucrezia as a symbol for lust and lewdness solidifying the sexual claims that had been brought against her Gives reasoning’s and explanations behind the accusations of murder, poison, and incest. Also deviates from Gregorovious’s idea that Lucrezia is weak, instead portraying her as an intelligent and tragic woman. o Portrayals of Lucrezia in movies and art begins to change and popular opinion shifts to that of Bellonci. o The Bellonci view continues on with historians such as Rachel Erlanger in 1978, which depicts Lucrezia as a political pawn of her father’s, and Ivan Cloulas in 1989. • Historical opinion of Lucrezia in the 21st Century o Most historians in the 21st century continue to portray Lucrezia as a sympathetic figure and political pawn such as Sarah Bradford in 2005. o Television, and literature depict Lucrezia mostly in a sympathetic light. However, some instances do play on the accusations of murder and incest. One such example is Gregory Maguire’s fictional work Mirror, Mirror (2003), in which she is portrayed as an incestuous poisoner in a retelling of snow

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