From Aemilia Lanyer's Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum(1611):
To the Virtuous Reader (p.328 in the anthology)
'Especially considering that they have tempted even the patience of God himself, who gave power to wise and virtuous women to bring down their pride and arrogance. As was cruel Cesarius by the discreet counsel of noble Deborah, judge and prophetess of Israel, and resolution of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite; wicked Haman, by the divine prayers and prudent proceedings of beautiful Hester; blasphemous Holofernes, by the invincible courage, rare wisdom, and confident carriage of Judith; and the unjust judges, by the innocence of chaste Susanna; with infinite others, which for brevity's sake I will omit.'
Lanyer references the biblical women above as ideal models of female virtue and as examples of God's high respect for women. Their overpowering of male authority figures, always achieved with divine inspiration and protection, made them exemplars not only of female chastity and piety, but also of a religious and polemical identity. Why do you think these biblical women serve as appropriate models for Lanyer?
(You can always look up biblical passages here http://www.biblegateway.com/ , a very useful resource)
Artemisia Gentileschi was the most important female painter of the early modern period. She was the only female follower of Caravaggio and she was attracted to the powerful female models available in the Bible. Have a look at some of her paintings and think about the representation of women, both in writing (eg in Lanyer) and in the visual arts.
To the Virtuous Reader (p.328 in the anthology)
'Especially considering that they have tempted even the patience of God himself, who gave power to wise and virtuous women to bring down their pride and arrogance. As was cruel Cesarius by the discreet counsel of noble Deborah, judge and prophetess of Israel, and resolution of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite; wicked Haman, by the divine prayers and prudent proceedings of beautiful Hester; blasphemous Holofernes, by the invincible courage, rare wisdom, and confident carriage of Judith; and the unjust judges, by the innocence of chaste Susanna; with infinite others, which for brevity's sake I will omit.'
Lanyer references the biblical women above as ideal models of female virtue and as examples of God's high respect for women. Their overpowering of male authority figures, always achieved with divine inspiration and protection, made them exemplars not only of female chastity and piety, but also of a religious and polemical identity. Why do you think these biblical women serve as appropriate models for Lanyer?
(You can always look up biblical passages here http://www.biblegateway.com/ , a very useful resource)
Artemisia Gentileschi was the most important female painter of the early modern period. She was the only female follower of Caravaggio and she was attracted to the powerful female models available in the Bible. Have a look at some of her paintings and think about the representation of women, both in writing (eg in Lanyer) and in the visual arts.
Susanna and the Elders (1610)
Schloss Weissenstein, Pommersfelden, Germany
Susanna and the Elders (1622)
The Burghley House Collection,
Stamford (Lincolnshire)
Stamford (Lincolnshire)
Jael and Sisera (1620)
Szepmuveszeti Museum, Budapest
Judith Slaying Holofernes (1612-13)
Museo di Capolodimonte, Naples
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