After reading Baldesar Castigilione's The Book of the Courtier and Sir Phillip Sydney's The Old Arcadia, the feeling of whether women had a Renaissance or not, did not seem relevant. Although some of the statements made against women were outrageous (i.e"...When a woman is born it is a defect or a mistake of nature (Castinglione 3.11)", the stories and treatment of women is what would be expected in that period. It still happens today.
             Beauty seems to play a large role in what 'makes' a woman. In The Book of the Courtier, the importance of a woman's looks is brought up on many occasions. Most notably is Magnificio Giuliano's comment "...for truly that a woman lacks much who lacks beauty (3.4)". A statement that bold shows that a woman's worth theoretically can be determined in one glance. For an ugly woman could not possibly have anything to offer. The Old Arcadia refers countless times to the beauty of the princesses. The story itself is based on two princesses so beautiful; their looks inspired two princes to dress below their station to be near them. It is all because they are in love with the physical attributes of the women.
             The king in The Old Arcadia falls in love with the Amazon, who is actually a man. It was not until he looked at her did he realize that she deserved great respect. Based on her beauty he deduced that she was not the monster that Dametas made her out to be (Sydney p31). There again shows how important looks are to men. He judged her entire character just by judging her looks.
             Being attractive is still just as important today. Women go to great lengths, such as liposuction and breast augmentation, to fit the image of what is beautiful. Even advertisers know the importance of having attractive people in their commercials, magazines, and on billboards.
             Another aspect that belittles women is what is described as their vices. In both books the idea o...