The Renaissance was the time period between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries that led to the beginning of many new ideas and developments. It was a time for many economical and intellectual changes, and it also opened the doors to new direction in artistic, social, scientific, and political thought. But very little women had strong roles in the community. During the eleventh and twelfth centuries, women had more economic and political power than they did in the Renaissance period. It is argued, that because of this lack of power, the term Renaissance does not necessarily apply to women, and it was a title that was given to them afterwards. They were not given the same opportunities as men, and they lost many of their privileges. .
During such a period of interaction and studies it would only be logical that women advanced in the field. As seen in document 1 by an unknown contemporary, women proved that they were intelligent and were competent to hold political power. This authors point of view reflects that Queen Elizabeth was loved and feared due to her regard for her subjects and yet her authority over them. Another example would be the point of view of Laura Quirini, a Venetian patrician, in document 5. She describes how such another women overcome her gender and applied herself to higher disciplines and education. In document 6 by Leonardo Bruni, we see how the author places emphasis on intellect. He realizes what women have had to go through to get ahead and tries to offer his views and encouragement for them.
Document 7 offers us another prospective on the topic. Christine de Pizan writes how bias society was at the time. The author mentions how people at the time would not believe that some of the best works in literature and the studies could not come from the mind of women. Angelo Poliziano, a Florentine humanist, in document 10 gives us a good example of how some women empowered themselves to advance.
