The Book of the City of Ladies Essays -- English Literature

The Book of the City of LadiesDuring the renascence many contrary receives of leadership surfaced. Christine de Pizans The Book of the City of Ladies, NiccoloMachiavellis The Prince, and William Shakespeares Richard III eachpresent distinct finds of what would make a good leader during therenaissance period. Shakespeare and Christine de Pizans views alignmost closely with Platos. Christine de Pizans view also aligns withAugustines medieval view of leadership. Machiavellis view, however,strays the farthest from Plato and Augustine.In The Book of the City of Ladies, Christine presents an allegoricalcity do up of great ladies from history. Allegorical characters mind, Rectitude, and Justice guide Christine to the proper view ofwomen by dispelling slanderous lies spread by men doneout history. As the leaders in Christines journey, Reason, Rectitude, and Justicerepresent characteristics that leaders should hold. Christineestablishes Reason as the foundation of great leadership by saying through with(predicate) Reason, I was commissioned, in the course of our commondeliberation, to supply you with durable and native mortar to lay thesturdy foundations and to raise the large walls (12). Rectituderepresents the liberality leadership requires as she says, I oftenvisit the just and weigh them to do what is right, to give to eachperson what is his according to his capacity, to say and concern thetruth, to defend the rights of the poor and the innocent, not to hurtanyone through usurpation, to uphold the news report of those unjustlyaccused (12). Finally, Justice presents in the terminating qualitiesof truth and pure take note as she says, I teach men and women of soundmind who indirect request to belie... ...his work is completely opposite the ideal Augustineleader.Christine de Pizan, Niccollo Machiavelli, and William Shakespeare showseveral different forms of Renaissance leadership. Each writerexpresses their version of leadership by self-aggrandizing ex amples of what aleader should and should not be. Shakespeare and Christine de Pizansleaders most closely fit the Platonic ideal of leadership by rulingthrough wisdom, being reluctant to lead, and promoting the idea oftrue virtues over shadows of virtue. The Augustine leadership ideal,characterized by a love for God and people, most closely resemblesChristine de Pizans view as many of her leaders strive to please Godin their leadership. Machiavellis radical idea of leadershipresembles neither Plato nor Augustine as it promotes pursuit powerthrough less than virtuous methods for less than noble reasons.