A Study of Marriage, Family, and Sexuality During Renaissance Period

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of marriage, family structures, and sexuality during the Renaissance period (14th-17th Century). It examines how marriage was a crucial decision, often based on family honor and social standing, especially among aristocratic families. The essay highlights the significance of obedience in women and the role of dowries. It explores family dynamics, including the presence of extended family members and the upbringing of children. The essay also discusses the differing gender roles, where men held central authority, and women were often considered subservient, with their value largely tied to their appearance. The essay references key historical figures and works, such as Francesco Guicciardini's observations and Shakespeare's 'As You Like It,' to illustrate the societal expectations and norms of the time.

MARRIAGE, FAMILY AND SEXUALITY DURING RENAISSANCE PERIOD
The period of Renaissance lasted from 14th to 17th Century, which leads to the ‘rebirth’ of the
European heritage, culture, and social, political life during the Era. Marriage Family and
Sexuality was considered vital as it leads to their increase in their prestige, honor and wealth.
When we talk about the marriages during the Renaissance period, they were considered as one of
the significant decisions taken by the family during those days. The marriages which took place
during those times were completely different from what we see today. In the past, the sole
purpose of marriage was not ‘love’ but instead, it was based on the family’s honor and to get
elevation in their political and social backgrounds. In the aristocratic families, marriages acted as
a key for making the dynasty more powerful. One of the main feature or trait which was much
needed in every girl who was going to be married was ‘Obedience’. In the Renaissance, it was
considered that a woman was always subservient to a man and had the power to dominate her. A
girl’s family would only choose a man for their daughter’s marriage who was financially stable
and had enough possessions to fulfil her wife’s and family needs. When a girl used to get
married her family used to give dowry as a present to the groom, after marriage the husband has
the right to have full control over his lady in terms of her wealth and body, he could even punish
her if she did any act of disobedience (Camden 1952).
In the wedding rituals, it was seen how a woman was made to agree that she would always keep
her husband and his family happy and comfortable with her presence. It was even believed that
the only purpose for which a woman was sent on this earth was always to obey her man. In the
wedding traditions in Florence, it was observed that the bride’s age was much less as compared
to the groom’s age. Usually, a 14-year old girl was married to a man of 30 years of age, to ensure

the virginity. After the death of the husband, usually, the wives in the Renaissance period had the
power to look after their business and property.
It was said by Francesco Guicciardini,
“There is nothing in our civil life that is more difficult than properly marrying off one’s
daughters” (Musacchio 2008).
The Family structure in Renaissance period was somewhat similar what we witness today, it had
the presence of Parents, children and in many families, grandparents, widowed women and
sisters who were not married were present. It was also observed that the family members and
relatives used to live close to one another to create a strong link among them of protection and
safety; also the children grew in the same atmosphere and inherited all the cultural values of their
society. However, in the noble families, it was seen that the children of the prominent families
were looked after by the nurses rather than their mother, and when they grew up, they were sent
to noble’s houses to learn how to behave nobly (Internet Shakespear Edition 2011). They were
asked to behave appropriately and to maintain the dignity and name of their family; they were
expected to respect their parents with full zeal.
In the family structure when we talk about the status of women, she was given significantly less
importance, and at the same time the family had great expectations from her, these things were
even showcased in many Renaissance period dramas and plays, one such was ‘ As you like it’ by
Shakespeare. The only work which the society observed was suitable for women was to get
married, obey her husband, her family, look after her children and inculcate in them the best
values.
From the ancient civilizations to Renaissance period till today, it has been seen that men and
women are assigned specific work and responsibilities based on their sex. There are individual

works which are only given to a man and other works only given to a woman. In the Renaissance
period the two different genders were given different works, usually the central authorities,
decision making power during the Elizabethan England was under the males, they dominated the
society in all aspects (Montrose 1986). Women, on the other hand, were considered inferior as
compared to men, the virtually have no right or power on laws and norms of the society, for a
woman her participation in public activities was considered dishonorable. The value of women in
the society was based only on her outer appearance; the only demand by the society for the
women was that she should be beautiful (Camden 1952). Hence it was observed that the
sexuality acted as the significant difference between the gender roles of men and women in the
Renaissance Period.
References
Camden, Carroll. 1952. The Elizabethan Woman. Elsevier Press.
Internet Shakespear Edition. 2011. Married life. January 4. Accessed December 5, 2020.
https://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/life/youth/children.html.
Montrose, Louis Adrian, Margaret W. Ferguson, Maureen Quilligan, and Nancy J. Vickers.
1986. A'Midsummer Night's Dream'and the Shaping Fantasies of Elizabethan Culture:
Gender, Power, Form. . University of Chicago Press.
Musacchio, Jacqueline Marie. 2008. Art, marriage, & family in the Florentine renaissance
palace. Yale University Press.