Renaissance Expectations Vs. Angela's Reality Essay

518 Words2 Pages

Renaissance Expectations vs. St. Angela’s Reality
During the Renaissance, women were not expected or allowed to work outside of their homes. Breastfeeding was even considered a job for lower class women (Victoria and Albert Museum).The Renaissance took place in Italy from 1300-1600. Angela Merici was one of the most influential role models for women during this time. Although women were often restricted by their gender roles, Angela Merici breaks with Renaissance conventions because she stood out in her leadership and goals for women and their education. St. Angela Merici was an important role model for women in the Renaissance because she taught them to go against the expectation of women in the Renaissance. Women had two options: marriage or the convent (Victoria and Albert Museum). Angela was unique because she decided to take a different path. Nuns in the convent were educated, but they were not allowed to leave their cloisters. Angela could not just sit around and pray. She believed that God wanted her to do more, so she was more determined than ever to help women’s education (Angela Merici). Women in the Renaissance were also not allowed to express themselves. Angela clearly went against this rule because she distinctly …show more content…

The only women that were typically educated were the rich and the nuns, but St. Angela was determined to change this speculation. She saw poor girls in her town that were not educated and wanted to help them learn. Girls were growing up without education in religion or anything at all (Angela Merici). Angela was tired of watching these girls not receive the education that they needed. This drove her to bring together a group of unmarried women that went out into the streets to gather up the poor girls that were not educated and teach them (Saint Angela Merici). Angela Merici was dedicated to women’s education and wanted to help others, no matter what it

Open Document