Eleanor Finch
In Moderata Fonte's book, 'The Worth of Women', published in 1600, seven Venetian noblewomen of varying ages and experiences gather in a beautiful garden on the outskirts of Venice to discuss the worth of women and the differences between the sexes. The women debate whether men are good or bad, the dignity of women, and the reasons behind men's curious hostility towards women. Fonte's characters also discuss medicine, alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy, highlighting how women were involved in these spheres as practitioners. The dialogue explores the private and public lives of Renaissance women, reflecting on their roles in the home, society, and the arts. Fonte's work is considered a part of the Renaissance 'querelle des femmes' or 'dispute of women', which dissected female qualities and vices in opposition to men.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nobility | Clearly revealed |
| Superiority to men | Clearly revealed |
| Friendship | A female phenomenon |
| Womanhood | Superior to manhood |
| Womens' experience | Theoretical and practical |
| Womens' roles | In the home, in society, and in the arts |
| Womens' nature | Defined and described in opposition to men |
| Womens' intelligence | Celebrated |
| Womens' treatment by men | Criticized |
| Womens' virtues | Celebrated |
| Womens' worth | Proved at a theoretical level |
| Womens' autonomy | Deserved |
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What You'll Learn
The superiority of women to men
In Moderata Fonte's 1600 book, "The Worth of Women", the author presents a dialogue between seven Venetian women discussing the differences between the sexes and the worth of women. The work is considered part of the Renaissance 'querelle des femmes' or 'dispute of women', a broader intellectual debate dissecting the nature of women and defining female qualities and vices in opposition to men.
Fonte's work is considered transgressive and a significant contribution to early feminist thought. She challenges the notion of men's superiority by arguing that women are born of 'living flesh' while men are born of the 'lifeless earth', thus proving women's superiority. Fonte also claims that Adam's sin was worse than Eve's, and that men lack the essential virtue of friendship, which is a central theme in her work.
The dialogue explores men's hostility towards women and the potential for women to be autonomous, reflecting on their roles in the home, society, and the arts. Fonte's characters discuss whether it would be possible to banish men and live without them, and question why men are considered superior when they are flawed and sinful.
Through her work, Fonte provides a picture of the private and public lives of Renaissance women, highlighting enduring issues such as the attempt to reconcile femininity with ambition. She also incorporates learned discussions of physiology and the humoral make-up of men's and women's bodies, though these elements are secondary to the arguments based on experience and observation of Venetian society.
Fonte's work is a testament to her genius and a powerful evocation of women's daily lives and their worth, influencing modern thinking and understanding of feminism in a historical context.
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The dignity of women
In Moderata Fonte's 1600 book, "The Worth of Women", the dignity of women is a central theme. The book is structured as a dialogue between seven Venetian noblewomen of varying ages and experiences, discussing men's treatment of women and the perceived inferiority of women. Fonte's characters highlight the involvement of women in medicine, alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy, demonstrating their intellectual capabilities.
One of the key arguments in "The Worth of Women" revolves around the idea of women's inherent worth and dignity. Fonte's characters question why men, considered 'essentially inferior' to women, have dominated them and if this dynamic can be changed. They discuss the double standards and gender inequality prevalent in their society, where women are shamed for behaviours that are acceptable for men. Fonte's work reflects on the private and public lives of Renaissance women, exploring their roles in the home, society, and the arts, and addressing issues such as femininity, ambition, and the responsibility of husbands and fathers.
Fonte's characters yearn for freedom, honour, and dignity, expressing a desire to escape the subjugation and carping of men. They contemplate the possibility of living independently, earning a living, and managing their affairs without male assistance. Fonte's work reflects on the power dynamics between men and women, suggesting that women should not fearfully serve men but rather tolerate them with Christian charity as spiritual trials.
"The Worth of Women" is considered a significant contribution to early feminist thought, offering a feminist reimagining of 16th-century Venice. Fonte's characters express the moral capacity of women and their right to autonomy, presenting a transgressive perspective that influenced modern understandings of feminism. Her work highlights the enduring issues faced by women and the need for recognition of their worth, both theoretically and in terms of concrete societal change.
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The role of friendship in women's lives
In Moderata Fonte's 1600 book, The Worth of Women, seven fictional Venetian noblewomen of varying ages and experiences gather in a garden on the outskirts of Venice to discuss men's curious hostility towards women and possible cures for it. The dialogue explores nearly every aspect of women's experiences, both theoretically and practically, and highlights enduring issues that women face, including the attempt to reconcile femininity with ambition.
One of the key themes of The Worth of Women is the role of friendship in women's lives. Unlike her contemporaries, Fonte presents friendship as a predominantly female phenomenon. Fonte's characters express the moral capacity of women and their deserving of the material means to be autonomous. They discuss whether it would be possible to banish men from their lives and escape their jeering and criticism. They question whether they could live and manage their affairs without men, and whether they would have the courage to defend themselves, the strength to fend for themselves, and the talents to earn a living. Fonte's depiction of ideal friendship has been described as Ciceronian, but with the departure that she claims that men, rather than women, lack "amicitia", or the essential virtue of friendship.
The dialogue in The Worth of Women reflects the intellectual debate that swept European humanists at the time, known as the "
Fonte's work is significant in that it powerfully evokes the realities of women's daily lives and boldly considers their "worth" and their due. By presenting a dialogue among women, Fonte provides a picture of the private and public lives of Renaissance women, ruminating on their roles in the home, in society, and in the arts. She also acknowledges the social context of her work, addressing issues of gender equality and the responsibility of husbands and fathers in Renaissance Venice.
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The role of women in medicine, alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy
Il merito delle donne, commonly translated as "The Worth of Women", is a dialogue by Moderata Fonte that was first published posthumously in 1600. The work is a dialogue between seven Venetian women discussing the worth of women, the differences between the sexes, and the dignity of women. Fonte's work presents a pro-woman reading of Eve, where she acknowledges that man (Adam) was created before woman in Christianity, but claims that this supports the superiority of women.
Now, onto the role of women in medicine, alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy:
Medicine
The presence of women in medicine has been traced back to the earliest history, with women practicing as caregivers, allied health professionals, and physicians. Women have also been widely involved in midwifery and healing arts, particularly in rural areas or where there was limited access to medical care. However, women's roles as physicians were limited by societal norms and the establishment of universities with faculties of medicine in the 13th century, which excluded women from advanced medical education. As a result, the field of medicine became male-dominated, and women often had to fight accusations of illegal practice or were considered "witches".
Alchemy
Alchemy, a tradition that involves the transformation of base metal into gold and the search for the elixir of life, has also seen the participation of women. In the Renaissance, female alchemists, such as Lady Grace Mildmay, practiced medical and spiritual alchemy in their households and local areas. These women used alchemical discourse to highlight the transformative physical, spiritual, and intellectual agency of the female chemical practitioner.
Astrology
Astrology has often been feminized and deemed a frivolous female pastime. This association with femininity has led to the dismissal of astrology as a serious discipline. However, the discipline's focus on introspection and emotional expression has provided a space where women feel understood and valued.
Natural Philosophy
Women have been historically excluded from the historiography of philosophy, with their thoughts and writings often appearing in genres other than the traditional treatise, such as poetry, pamphlets, and plays. However, it is now recognized that women in the early modern period in Europe engaged in philosophical debate and reflection, and their published philosophical writings were read, translated, and commented on. The inclusion of early modern women philosophers in the history of political thought has been facilitated by a focus on virtue ethics and the recognition of the role of sentiment and emotion in moral deliberations.
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The worth of women in a feminised society
In Moderata Fonte's 1600 book, "The Worth of Women", the worth of women in a feminised society is explored through a dialogue between seven Venetian women of varying ages and experiences. The women discuss men's treatment of women and question how, if women are inherently superior, men have come to dominate them. Fonte's work is considered part of the Renaissance 'querelle des femmes' or 'dispute of women', which dissected the nature of women and defined female qualities and vices in opposition to men.
In "The Worth of Women", Fonte presents a pro-woman interpretation of Eve, acknowledging that man (Adam) was created before woman in Christianity, but arguing that this supports the superiority of women. Eve was created as a helper to Adam, which Fonte claims demonstrates the incompleteness and inferiority of men. Fonte also views Adam's sin as more egregious than Eve's, challenging the social hierarchy that places men above women.
The women in the dialogue discuss the double standards and hypocrisy they face, such as the expectation that women remain virtuous while men are allowed greater license to sin. They question why women are subjected to men and fantasise about banishing men from their lives, achieving independence, and reclaiming their freedom, honour, and dignity.
Fonte's work provides a glimpse into the private and public lives of Renaissance women and their roles in the home, society, and the arts. She also addresses issues of femininity and ambition, exploring the potential for a feminised society. The garden setting of the dialogue symbolises this potential, as the women express their moral capacity and argue for the means to be autonomous.
"The Worth of Women" is considered a significant work in early feminist thought, offering a powerful and original discussion of women's status and worth. Fonte's characters rely on experience and observation to describe the predicament of women in contemporary Venetian society, embedding their arguments within a vivid social context.
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Frequently asked questions
The book is a dialogue between seven Venetian women discussing the worth of women and the differences between the sexes. The women, who differ in age and experience, take as their broad theme men’s curious hostility toward women and possible cures for it.
The women discuss men's treatment of women, marriage, dowries, and the dignity of women. They also talk about medicine, alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy, highlighting how women were involved in these spheres.
The main argument of the book is that women are superior to men. Fonte claims that the creation of man before woman in Christianity demonstrates the incompleteness and inferiority of men, as Eve was created as a helper to Adam.
Moderata Fonte, directly translating to "Modest Well", is a pseudonym of Modesta di Pozzo di Forzi. The name celebrates Fonte’s creativity, playing on the traditional association of poetry with the Castalian Fountain on Parnassus, home to the Muses.
The garden setting displays the potential for a feminized society as all of Fonte's characters express the moral capacity of women and their deserving of material means to be autonomous.
