Lucrezia Borgia: Evolution of Historical Perceptions

855 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Gender equality in the 17th century

A Historiography of Lucrezia Borgia • Introductory paragraph: The name Borgia has become synonymous with corruption, lust, and sinful deeds since the papal reign of Rodrigo Borgia, otherwise known as Alexander VI, and his bastard children Lucrezia, Cesare, and Juan. Some historians depict Lucrezia Borgia as being known for her beauty, and good nature during her life in Rome. Others depict her as a murderous, blood-thirsty monster who openly engaged in acts of incest, and political assassination. It is possible that this young woman exhibited some of the qualities of each account. Lucrezia portrays characteristics of a Machiavellian villain, and also the characteristics of a woman using her means to secure her place in a male dominated society. The multiple marriages, assassination of Alfonso of Aragon, and charges of incest within her family. o Lucrezia’s personal writings in love letters depicting her own character. • Historical opinion of Lucrezia in the 16th Century o Lucrezia as depicted by papal records in the diary of Johannes Buchardus. Mostly factual information with some reference to scandals as they occurred. Becomes the bible of historical writings about the Borgia. o Francesco Guicciardini, The History of Italy (1537), writings about Lucrezia heavily influenced by the Anti-Borgia opinion. o Gender roles and expectations of women in 16th century Italy. o Depictions of corrupt deeds, however reputation has not become extremely villainous. • Historical opinion of Lucrezia in the 17th and 18th Centuries o 1696, Specimen Historiae Arcanae, sive anecdotae de vita Alexandri VI Papae by Leibnitz wrote of the shamefulness, treachery, and cruelty exhibited by the Borgias. o Alexander Gordon, Lives of Pope Alexaner VI and his Son Cesare Borgia (1729), depicts Lucrezia as a symbol for lust and lewdness solidifying the sexual claims that had been brought against her Gives reasoning’s and explanations behind the accusations of murder, poison, and incest. Also deviates from Gregorovious’s idea that Lucrezia is weak, instead portraying her as an intelligent and tragic woman. o Portrayals of Lucrezia in movies and art begins to change and popular opinion shifts to that of Bellonci. o The Bellonci view continues on with historians such as Rachel Erlanger in 1978, which depicts Lucrezia as a political pawn of her father’s, and Ivan Cloulas in 1989. • Historical opinion of Lucrezia in the 21st Century o Most historians in the 21st century continue to portray Lucrezia as a sympathetic figure and political pawn such as Sarah Bradford in 2005. o Television, and literature depict Lucrezia mostly in a sympathetic light. However, some instances do play on the accusations of murder and incest. One such example is Gregory Maguire’s fictional work Mirror, Mirror (2003), in which she is portrayed as an incestuous poisoner in a retelling of snow

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of Giovanni And Lusanna

    800 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the book, Giovanni and Lusanna, by Gene Bucker, he discusses the scandalous actions of a Florentine woman taking a wealthy high status man to court over the legality of their marriage. Published in 1988, the book explains the legal action taken for and against Lusanna and Giovanni, the social affects placed on both persons throughout their trial, and the roles of both men and women during the time. From the long and complicated trial, it can be inferred that women’s places within Florentine society were limited compared to their male counterparts and that women’s affairs should remain in the home. In this paper, I will examine the legal and societal place of women in Florentine society during the Renaissance. Here, I will argue that women were the “merchandise” of humanity and their main objective was to produce sons.

    Read More

  • Barbara Strozzi Research Paper

    562 Words  | 2 Pages

    Barbara Strozzi was one of the most talented figures of the seventeenth century. Strozzi was born in Venice in 1619 to Isabella Garzoni, servant to Giulio Strozzi. In 1628, Giulio Strozzi acknowledged Barbara as his natural daughter by referring to her in his will as his “figliuola elettiva”, meaning elective daughter and designating her as his heiress. (Spiller, Melanie. 2012)

    Read More

  • How Did the Cold War Affect the Politics of Germany and Italy?

    1982 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ginsborg P (1990). ‘A History of Contemporary Italy: Society and Politics: 1943-1980’ Published by Penguin; Reprint edition (27 Sep 1990).

    Read More

  • Ideal Roman Women: Lucretia and Dido

    949 Words  | 2 Pages

    Lucretia and Dido are both viewed as ideal Roman women. The story of Lucretia is found in Livy’s Early History of Rome, while Dido is written about in The Aeneid by Virgil. By looking at Roman values, the story of Lucretia, the story of Dido, their similarities and differences, a background of Livy and Virgil, as well as the similarities and differences of Virgil and Livy’s views toward them, Dido and Lucretia can be seen as exemplary Roman women.

    Read More

  • To What Extent Were The Medicis The Great Heroes Of The Renaissance

    1244 Words  | 3 Pages

    Even these accusations are not definite, as opposed to those against the Borgias, who are said to have certainly done many of the accused. Furthermore, the alleged bribes and corruption should not mean that the Medicis cannot be considered the heroes of the Renaissance. This is because, “almost every single European Renaissance family paid bribes and backstabbed in order to rise to power.” From this, it is clear that the Medicis were just as- if not less- corrupt than many other families in Renaissance Europe, and should thus not be considered villains.

    Read More

  • Catherine De Medici's Black Legend

    2162 Words  | 5 Pages

    Although the ‘Legend’ of the Wicked Italian Queen is limited by its personal malicious nature, it is credible in its demonstration of Catherine’s ambition f...

    Read More

  • Changing Interpretations of The Prince and Niccolo Machiavelli

    2647 Words  | 6 Pages

    After five hundred years, Niccolo Machiavelli the man has ceased to exist. In his place is merely an entity, one that is human, but also something that is far above one. The debate over his political ideologies and theories has elevated him to a mythical status summed up in one word: Machiavelli. His family name has evolved into an adjective in the English language in its various forms. Writers and pundit’s bandy about this new adjective in such ways as, “He is a Machiavelli,” “They are Machiavelli’s,” “This is suitable for a Machiavelli.” These phrases are almost always the words of a person that understands more about Niccolo’s reputation than the man himself. Forgotten is that Machiavelli is not an adequate example of the ruler he is credited with describing; a more accurate statement would be to call someone a “Borgia” or a “Valentino.” Most of the time they are grossly mistaken in their references. All these words accomplish is to add to the legend, and the misinterpretation, of the true nature of Niccolo Machiavelli.

    Read More

  • The Rape of Lucretia

    1982 Words  | 4 Pages

    1)De, Selincourt Aubrey. Livy, the Early History of Rome: Book I - V of the History of Rome from Its Foundation. London: Penguin, 1960. Print.

    Read More

  • Cesare Borgia: An example in The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli

    611 Words  | 2 Pages

    In The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli considers Cesare Borgia to be perfect example for princes or whomever, to follow if they wish to apprehend how to secure and strengthen their principalities. Cesare Borgia, for Machiavelli, is an ideal lesson of a prince who had great prowess, gained his principality through good fortune by his father Pope Alexander VI, showed continuous actions by his efforts to secure his state quickly, and then lost it to adverse fortune, which led to his fall and death. Machiavelli uses many events of Cesare Borgia’s to show how and why he was successful, and should me imitated as a model of prudence by ambitious princes.

    Read More

  • The Arnolfini Double Portrait

    2458 Words  | 5 Pages

    Harbison, Craig. "Sexuality and Social Standing in Arnolfini's Double Portrait". Renaissance​​ Quarterly, Vol. 43, No. 2 (Summer, 1990), pp. 249–291

    Read More

  • Isabella d' Este: Great Woman of the Renaissance

    2573 Words  | 6 Pages

    Robin, Diana, Anne B. Larsen, and Carole Evans, eds. Encyclopedia of Women in the Renaissance: Italy, France and England. Santa Barbara: Abc Clio, 2007.

    Read More

  • A Midsummer Night's Dream

    675 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this writing, I will be discussing about the contrast between both Helena and Hermia. Both Helena and Hermia go through serious issues to find love but they both show the theme in different ways. Helena is described as a tall woman but she is unsure of herself. Despite the fact that she’s tall and Hermia is short; Hermia is a woman full of passion and respect. Throughout this play, questions such as; how is love found? What kinds of people find true love?, are clearly answered.

    Read More

  • The Rape of Sabine Women

    1012 Words  | 3 Pages

    Livy’s narration of the rape is different from Ovid’s as it clearly describes the effort put forth by Romulus to appease the women that were taken. Livy is able to develop the significance of the women taken by showing how his treatment of the gender roles is a direct reflection of what is acceptable in Rome, and that his narrative is not simply marital based but also has themes in the political and social realms. In the world today western culture recognizes persecution and oppression. Yet, the allegorical characterization of victims is not identified or taken as seriously. The Sabine woman are not viewed as victims for sexual innuendos in Livy’s tale. Instead they take the role of a counterfeit desire that seems ...

    Read More

  • Class in Virginia Wolf´s Novel Mrs. Dalloway

    1110 Words  | 3 Pages

    Firstly, the reader learns that Lucrezia Smith is currently married to Septimus Warren Smith, whom was a World War I veteran suffering from a type of mental illness. After learning about Septimus’ mental illness, the reader can learn that her husband’s mental illness dominates her. On page fifteen the reader can see at first hand how difficult the...

    Read More

  • Mothers in William Shakespeare's The Tempest

    1498 Words  | 3 Pages

    Miranda’s unwitting question provokes a strange response from Prospero. He admits to relying on his wife’s word that Miranda is his daughter. In doing so, he reveals his alienation from Miranda’s birth and the possibility of illegitimacy. Miranda’s mother’s power to bear children exerts a threatening cont...

    Read More

More about Lucrezia Borgia: Evolution of Historical Perceptions

Open Document