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

The Book of the City of Ladies During the renaissance many different views of leadership surfaced. Christine de Pizan’s The Book of the City of Ladies, Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince, and William Shakespeare’s Richard III each present distinct views of what would make a good leader during the renaissance period. Shakespeare and Christine de Pizan’s views align most closely with Plato’s. Christine de Pizan’s view also aligns with Augustine’s medieval view of leadership. Machiavelli’s view, however, strays the farthest from Plato and Augustine. In The Book of the City of Ladies, Christine presents an allegorical city made up of great ladies from history. Allegorical characters Reason, Rectitude, and Justice guide Christine to the proper view of women by dispelling slanderous lies spread by men throughout history. As the leaders in Christine’s journey, Reason, Rectitude, and Justice represent characteristics that leaders should hold. Christine establishes Reason as the foundation of great leadership by saying through Reason, â€Å"I was commissioned, in the course of our common deliberation, to supply you with durable and pure mortar to lay the sturdy foundations and to raise the large walls† (12). Rectitude represents the benevolence leadership requires as she says, â€Å"I often visit the just and exhort them to do what is right, to give to each person what is his according to his capacity, to say and uphold the truth, to defend the rights of the poor and the innocent, not to hurt anyone through usurpation, to uphold the reputation of those unjustly accused† (12). Finally, Justice presents in the terminating qualities of truth and pure honor as she says, â€Å"I teach men and women of sound mind who want to belie... ...his work is completely opposite the ideal Augustine leader. Christine de Pizan, Niccollo Machiavelli, and William Shakespeare show several different forms of Renaissance leadership. Each writer expresses their version of leadership by giving examples of what a leader should and should not be. Shakespeare and Christine de Pizan’s leaders most closely fit the Platonic ideal of leadership by ruling through wisdom, being reluctant to lead, and promoting the idea of true virtues over shadows of virtue. The Augustine leadership ideal, characterized by a love for God and people, most closely resembles Christine de Pizan’s view as many of her leaders strive to please God in their leadership. Machiavelli’s radical idea of leadership resembles neither Plato nor Augustine as it promotes seeking power through less than virtuous methods for less than noble reasons.