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The Book on the City of Ladies
The Book on the City of Ladies
Who and Why?
The Book of the City of Ladies was written by Christine de Pizan in 1405. She wrote in France and served in the court of the King during the One-Hundred-Years War. She was commissioned by the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France. Her husband was a notary and her father a physician and astrologer. She made a living by copying manuscripts for people. She wrote the history of Charles V and the Duke of Burgundy. She created poems and owned books of history and philosophy. She wrote The Book on the City of Ladies against Matheolus and pushes on Boccaccio's On Famous Women. Since de Pizan was commissioned by the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France, she wrote that she was for female education but to stay under male control. The women who are mentioned in the book are all women who she believes are women of noble spirit, not class. She focuses on women who are remarkable and brought those women into a new light.
Plot and Reasoning
De Pizan wrote The Book of the City of Ladies in favor or famous and well known women from history. Her book is the positive version of Giovanni Boccaccio's On Famous Women. She writes about women from antiquity, and Christianity. Her job is to create a city for the most notable and accomplished women of history. The city is created as a reminder of the true accomplishments of women. De Pizan writes in favor of all the women mentioned. Although she goes over Greek and Roman goddesses, she does not actually consider them goddesses (e.g. Minerva) as she keeps with the favor of Christianity. She also chooses women who have been perceived negatively. De Pizan writes that these "negative" women have not been understood correctly.
Characterization
Camilla’s virginity is an important aspect to Pizan. She claims that Camilla was too proud to take a husband or sleep with a man. Although this is written during the Renaissance, the mention of the goddess Diana is not available. Camilla is also described as a superhuman. She ran swiftly and was fast which she carried on with her to adulthood which caused her to become such an amazing warrior. Her skill in battle was so great that she was able to win her country back for her father. Pizan gives a similar interpretation/characterization of Camilla as Virgil because her virginity is mentioned in both and they both agree that Camilla was skilled greatly in battle and leadership. The only difference that Pizan has is that she makes Camilla’s power come from her practice and not her virginity.
Interpretation
Camilla has been known as the fierce woman who fought against Aeneas. What is important to take notice in The Book of the City of Ladies is that Camilla is being mentioned as a warrior who was not given help by a higher power (Diana). The superhuman skill that Camilla has is due to her training and working on herself. Unlike Virgil, De Pizan mentions Camilla's virginity at the very end and does not hint that her power is from her virginity. She also does not make a huge emphasis on her virginity whereas Virgil uses virginity as Camilla's defining character. De Pizan describes Camilla more as a regular human. Although Camilla is "superhuman", I believe that De Pizan is trying to get readers notice that with practice and training they can be as courageous as Camilla. Camilla is seen in a new viewpoint that makes her more relatable to readers.
Photo Interpretation
L'Eneide - II partie - 5. Mort de Camille
This painting of Camilla depicts her death at the end of Book XI of The Aeneid. Similar to Accordo tra Camilla e Turno, Camilla is the only person with gold plating on her armor. The other women that are depicted could be the other virgins that fought alongside Camilla. Since the other women are wearing silver armor Camilla stands out as the main person. Although the battle is still occurring in the background, Camilla's death is the main focus.
Camilla at War from Virgil's Aeneid - Giacomo del Po - 1708-1710 - Los Angeles County Museum of Art
This painting of Camilla depicts her mid battle. The painting has high European influence due to Camilla's pale skin and blonde hair. Everyone surrounding Camilla seem to be in pain and are suffering. The angels in the top right hand corner can represent the connection that Camilla had with the goddess Diana. The only beauty in the painting is Camilla because the light focuses on her while everyone else are in dark colors. The white and blue that Camilla is wearing can represent the possible divinity of her as well as her purity.
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