The Renaissance is widely considered one of the greatest points in time for humans intellectually and culturally. Well, at least for males. Females were still considered to be wives first and foremost. Even during this time of intellectual curiosity women would be looked down upon if they exerted themselves on intellectual pursuits. During the Renaissance women had some noteworthy changes occur. Perhaps the most important was the first attempt to give women (albeit only high class) a good education. Another important happening was the emergence of some female role models. However, it is obvious women did not come out of the Renaissance much better than before. It would take two events for the emancipation of women from the Renaissance, the first was the Protestant Reformation, and the second being the Enlightenment. Both events contributed immediately, but also planted seeds for future changes.
The Protestant Reformation began when Martin Luther, a German Theologian, issued his Ninety-five Theses, attacking the Roman Catholic Church on many fronts. The most radical may have been that each individual was responsible for the salvation of their own soul, which had many implications. Since Protestants believed you could connect with God without priests, each individual was required to study the scriptures on their own, which meant they had to read. Protestant leaders were the first powerful authority to recommend that boys and girls learn to read. While not many attitudes toward women had changed yet, the ideas were put into play and would be available for future use. .
The Protestants gave no special attachment to the celibate state and advocated marriage for all. Women were now freed by no longer held in lower esteem because of their close ties with the reproductive process. Luther closed convents and monasteries and encouraged clergy to marry one another. However, Protestants did not consider marriage a sacrament, meaning the contract could be broken.
