Excerpts from The Courtier: the role of women

A controversial theme explored in The Courtier, is what role women have in the courtly scene. Castiglione takes a rather self-contradictory stance on occasion regarding this question; he begins with stating that women can hold the same courtly distinction that men can, although for seemingly different reasons than those for men:

"And albiet stayednesse, noblenesse of courage, temperance, strength of the minde, wisedom, and the other vertues ... yet will I have her endowed with them all, not so much to entertaine (although notwithstanding they may serve thereto also) as to be vertuous..." (195). 



Later on, however, Castiglione backtracks; indeed, he goes on to fully subordinate women (and not just courtesans, it seems) beneath men:

"Now that women are unperfect creatures, and consequently of less worthinesse than men, and not apt to conceive those vertues that they are, I purpose not to affirme it, because the prowes of these Ladies were inough to make me a lyar. Yet this I say unto you, that most wise men have left in writing, that nature, because she is alwaies set and bent to make things most perfect, if she could, would continually bring forth men, and when a woman is borne, it is a slackenesse or default of nature, and contrarie to that she would doe" (196). 

Castiglione here seems to be freely admitting that while women are of equal worth to men, in a perfect world only men would be 'brought forth' (although, interestingly, he claims that Nature whom is supposedly bringing forth these men is female). He still seems fully aware of the historical injustice of perception women have felt:

"In case you will then consider the auncient histories (albiet men at all times have been verie sparing in writing the prayses of women) and them of latter daies, ye shall finde that continually vertue hath raigned as well among women as men: and that such there have beene also that have made warre and obtained glorious victories, governed Realmes with great wisedome and justice, and done what ever men have done"(198)". 

Thus there seems to be a dichotomy of perception regarding women in The Courtier; Castiglione allows that women are and have been eggective courtesans, warriors and political leaders, but are still apparently 'imperfect' when compared to men.