Marriage not a picnic for women in the 13th century, it was a contract. In this contract women had little to no say; they had to marry whoever picked them whether they loved them or not. This is what Lusanna is fighting for in Giovanni and Lusanna which is one reason she caused such an uproar. The conflict between the two Renaissance lovers was one of the most well documented cases in Florence; it really helps show the ideals for love and marriage in the 13th century. Their trial took years to complete and was a painstaking process of questioning witnesses from both sides then questioning the plaintiff and defendant. Its surprising that the moderator was able to sort through the myriad of information and come to a conclusion at all. While Lusanna was fighting to uphold the ideals of love, Giovanni was countering that fight by trying to uphold the social norms, which was far more acceptable. There was family, friends, and enemies fighting on each side, all swearing that their statements were true, it was utter warfare in a courtroom. .
All this was going on just because Lusanna could not let go of the man she loved even if destroyed her honor, though it didnt seem worth it. Even if her fight seemed romantic it was not in her best interest to do so, the trial dug up many nasty things about her that, even if they weren't true, still tore down her dignity and-as said before- her honor. Unlike in the 21 century where those things can be redeemed, in the 13th century once you tore that down there was no turning back; Lusanna didnt care as long as she could hold her lover in her arms. Just when it seemed Lusanna won her case, it turned around and Giovanni won because men had more power, he had larger connections, he was trying to stand by what society deemed acceptable marriage-wise, and love was just not in the picture for most 13th century marriages.
One of the most disappointing things for a husband to find out about his wife is that she cannot bear any young.
