Marguerite de Navarre was the older sister of King Francis 1st, and she played a crucial role in the development of the intellectual and spiritual life of France, based off of what medieval France had discovered about the Italian renaissance, during the beginning of the 16th century. She was unbelievably educated for a woman of her time, being literate and fluent in many languages other than French, such as Latin, Italian, Spanish and German, this in turn allowed her to be extremely well read. The fact that she was able to read allowed her to be educated on things such as religion, politics, and other important matters. Although her and her brother were both of the Catholic religion she was less harsh on the Protestants that her brother King …show more content…
This caused her to try and protect those who were suspected of writing or teaching Protestant learnings, as she believed that they had a right to follow their own religion. She wrote her collection of 72 short stories the Heptaméron near the end of her life, as she actually died before its completion and as a result never saw the publication. This collection was written very differently than her earlier works of poetry and theater, which seemed to be more on the spiritually side, the Heptaméron focuses more on the unflattering sins that the human race seems to commit quite regularly, such as corruption, deception, incest, rape, and seduction. She used her book to try and voice her opinion on things such as love, religion and feminism, since as a woman it was hard, if not impossible, for her voice to be …show more content…
Since it was so rare to have a woman as educated as Marguerite during the 15th century, and since women of that time were not able to voice their opinions in the same way that men could, she had to figure out a way to be heard. The Heptaméron was the perfect way for Marguerite to do this, as she was able to voice her opinions freely as they would be seen as fiction. Through this she was able to write about her thoughts on love, and how she believed that marriage should be the truest form of love, she was able to voice her concerns about what she thought was wrong about religion. Another thing that she was able to do in her story, was establish an environment where there were an equal amount of men and women, although this didn’t make the women equal, just easier to be heard. Showing that despite living during a time were women weren’t really listen to, she was still able to voice her opinions quite clearly through
With a strong female protagonist and two mentally weak males, it is hard to consider Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter anything but a feminist treatise. He obviously intended to put down not only Puritanism, which is an obvious aspect of the novel, but to establish a powerful, secure female in American literature. Hester proves, although she has sinned in the past, she can confront her mistakes, take care of herself and her child, and help others at the same time. She can withhold a position in society that many can respect because of her character something the males of the story obviously could not succeed at doing.
Joan d’Arc was a very selfless and happy child. According to Sister Marie-Bernard, she was born in 1412 to Jacques and Isabella d’Arc. (2) They were peasant farmers who lived in Domremy. She was the fifth child and the second girl they had. Sister Marie- Bernard went on to state in her article that Joan was very strong in her Catholic faith, and she loved the poor. (2) Joan would go to mass every Sunday and many other days of the week. If she couldn’t find a way to get to the holy sacrament, she would kneel in the fields and pray. IN fact, she was never given proper education, but instead learned prayers from her mother. She often gave up her own bed to foreigners, whom her parents would open their house to, opting for the hard floor instead. All of this shows that she was a remarkably giving child who had an extremely strong faith.
She is a writer, and she has also been imprisoned many times due to her expression of her beliefs.
One should not violate the godliness of a pure heart. Hester was a radical woman in her time, more like a 20th century woman. She knew that true love was more important than a phony, love-less marriage.
Unlike today, women in the 1850’s did not have rights to do many things. Women had limited freedom, but Hester Prynne stood up for her rights and beliefs. Not only she was a feminist character in book, but also the people and their cultures and religion made her that way. In the book, it says that she is beautiful, tall, thin, and dignified woman. She is also said to be good with decorating and making clothes and helps the poor by donating clothes to them. She is not a woman who just sins and be proud of herself. Throughout the story, Hester Prynne tries not to sin and penitent what she did and helps...
At nineteen she married Charles-Guillaume Le Normant d'Etoiles. It was an arranged marriage, and did not last for very long, despite the fact that he adored her. She had two children with d'Etoiles, a boy who died in childbirth, and a daughter nicknamed 'fan fan'. She founded her own salon at her husband's estate, and was joined by many renowned intellectuals, such as Voltaire. She rose in society at an alarming rate, due to those she associated with, and her friends. After all, that is a fantastic strategy, to befriend the highest class and earn their acquaintances respect.
...She writes of the type of person that one can only hope exists in this world still. The message of her writing and philosophy is contained in a single phrase from the novel: “I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine,” (731). This is an inspiration, awakening an inner voice and drive that impels each person to do their absolute best. It implores the soul of the reader to awaken, to become the ideal of the human spirit, and to rise until it can rise no higher. It is a call to anyone with reason, anyone with the strength to be an Atlas, and it is reminding him or her of their duty to live up to the individual potential. For as long as there are those who would hear the message, there will still be hope for mankind.
- “For not having enough dedication to here duties as religious woman and dedicating too much time to ‘profane literature’”. But the implicit problem was that she did not fulfill the social role created for the women of that moment.
The Renaissance is a period in Europe following the revival of classical ideas, art, and architecture. Although this time period underwent many liberal changes, the idea that women were intended to be subjects to men still remained. On the other hand, a few women of the time were able to break this mold of subjugation. One woman in particular, Isabella d’Este, created her own feminine “rebirth”. Isabella d’Este was the daughter of Ercole I d'Este, the Duke of Ferrara. Unlike most women during this time period, d’Este was provided educational opportunities equal to her male siblings. At the age of sixteen, she was said to have spoken fluent Greek and Latin along with possessing various musical and artistic abilities. She could also engage in political debates with well-respected and knowledgeable men. Her various talents led her to become a powerful and well-educated political figure, patron of the arts, and humanitarian.
Jeanne d’Arc, also known as Joan of Arc, was born in 1412. “Even her early life influenced the hundred year war which she was born into” (“joan of Arc”). This is important because she was born during that time period and it was a rough time for people.This gives a little information of how her
There was a prophesy that France would be ruined by a woman and restored by a virgin from the borders of Lorraine (Portraits of a Saint). Joan of Arc was born in 1492 in the small town called Domremy, a village east of France as a peasant. She helped feed animals and take care of their farm. At this time the long hundred year war between the French and English were raging, her father often told her of the poor condition of France, and that the English had almost all of the land under control. The country of France was divided, with the Bergundian Territory aligning themselves with the English. Joan constantly thought about and pitied her poor country, she was a Christian so she probably prayed; she was not taught to read and write but her mother instilled in her a deep love of her faith in the Catholic religion.
She doesn't just write from her perspective though. She writes it for all women to have an equal opportunity to educate themselves. She has accomplished a lot in her life despite being a woman and wants others to do the same. She has been previously published and her opinion is valued. Given the time period, it is still thought her opinion was met with complete hostility. Although there was some resistance, overall it was well reviewed and sparked a debate reguarding a womans position within society . There were several British and American editions printed . It was later translated and printed in
An important event that contributed to social change in the medieval period was the life of Joan of Arc. Before Joan came to prominence in France, she had been a mere peasant girl that often wore men’s clothing. At that time, serfs were considered the lowest of the low and were not permitted by the Roman Catholic Church to have a direct connection to God. However, after Joan led the French armies at the siege of Orleans, claiming she was told to do so by God, Catholic leaders felt that because Joan was a peasant she could not be hearing the voice of God and tried her for heresy. Twenty-five years after Joan’s death at the stake, the Catholic Church declared her a saint. Joan’s example was significant for a number of reasons. She proved to women that although she was illiterate and a young woman, she was capable of great feats such as leading the French army. Joan of Arc served as a religious role model for those in the early renaissance years. As well, the Inquisitions also contributed to change during the Middle Ages. Previous to the Inquisitions, people of Europe challenged the Catholic Church and began calling for reform to end the corruption of the Church. The Inquisitions were conducted to punish those who challenged the Church’s authority and intimid...
Jeanne d’Arc, known as Joan of Arc, was born in 1412 to a poor peasant family in France. France and England were in the midst of the Hundred Year War and the English were winning. France was destined to lose until a 17 year old peasant, Joan of Arc, led them to a near impossible victory. She was the person to tip the scales in favor of France and is seen as a highly heroic person. Joan was also a highly religious individual who heard voices at a young age from God and had impressive persuasion skills. When she was 16, with the leadership of God, she knew she was supposed to lead France so she ran away and became a famous historical and religious figure for what she did. Joan of Arc was an important historical and religious figure from the Hundred Year War because she was able to lead the losing side to triumph without any military training, a true sign to be blessed by God.
...at the advice she offers these women is looked upon with contempt. She begins to adapt to her life after Sary Jones advises her to “make de bes’ of et” but her efforts falter during her next pregnancy (125). Instead of making the best of her life, Helga hands over this responsibility to God which eventually leads to the same feeling of “dissatisfaction [and] asphyxiation that she felt in Naxos, New York and Copenhagen” (134). After all of her experiences, her inability to conform leads her right back to the same place she started from. It is obvious that Helga Crane will never truly be able to “fit in” in any society.