Women in Italy 1350-1650 Ideals and realities

This Enlightening Book aims to fill the gap in the literature on women's lives from the mid-fourteenth to the mid-seventeenth century, a time in which Italian urban societies saw much debate on the nature of women and on their roles, education and behaviour. Indeed these were debates which would in subsequent years resonate throughout Europe as a whole.

Mary Rogers has published widely in the arts and feminist theory on both sides of the Atlantic. Paola Tinagli lives and works in Italy.

Introduction * Part 1: Ideals * Woman's nature and characteristics * The discourse of beauty and love * The Virgin Mary * Female Saints * Famous and exemplary women * Part 2: Lifecycles * Girls * Betrothals and Weddings * Marriage and married life * Conception, childbirth and the upbringing of children *Widows * Part 3: Roles * Nuns and women in religion * The court lady * Women and work for gain * Prostitutes and courtesans * Writers, artists, musicians and performers * Illustrations * Bibliography * Index