Renaissance Dbq

During the Renaissance time period, each man and woman needed to strive to meet the "ideal" image that was expected by society. If this image was not met, the person would be judged by society. Both males and females had different goals that they needed to meet in education, as well as in their lives. While there was an "ideal" image, some people disagreed with them. There was always a distinct role for both women and men, but within those roles, there could be controversy. The most controversy could occur over the education that the males and females were getting, there were clear roles and ideals for men and women in the beginning of the Renaissance time period, but as time went on, people became more skeptical of the education system.

In Renaissance time, both men and women had different social expectations, both expected to be educated, but they were to be educated in different ways. Men were expected to go through school and be well educated. They needed to know how to think and to write properly so that they could recognize the educated people around them. This education would help them to be well-rounded in life, as well as find a good woman. Castiglione believed all people needed to strive for this in order to be successful. (3) While the men were pressured to study hard and become independent thinkers, women were not encouraged in the same way. Women should be taught, but they should be taught different things and they should be taught in a different manner. Their teaching should focus primarily on the classics. Women were not taught so that they could think, but it was said books have one purpose for women, "...let the books teach her good manners..." (5) Women needed to focus on the classics and not over-analyze them because that was not their role in society. They should have a basic knowledge so they can make the men look good, but they should not be thinking and creating new ideas. (5) Ideally, they would learn basics, and then do household chores and teach their children how to properly do them. (9) Women were primarily expected to make their husbands look good, and the intelligence would be up to the men.

As time progressed, people became more critical of the roles of the men in society based on the education that they were receiving. In the beginning, their education was considered mandatory, and it was looked down upon if one did not strictly study in school. (3) However, as time went on, people realized that not only was education in the classroom important, but proper etiquette and life skills were required to have a successful life. Men needed to know how to do common place things in order to succeed and have a full rounded life. If men did not know how to "...ride, play, dance and sing, and dress well..." then they would not have even a background for how to live. (6) Going along with knowing these other common skills, a man would have to know how to apply what he learned in a classroom to his real life. Men needed to be taught more about their morals, and the classics of life, not simply memorization. If they only memorized, then they had to wait until college to put what they learned into place. By waiting to have people apply the skills they learned, they are put at a great disadvantage because true learning comes from an application of the skills learned. (8, 13) The feelings toward the educational system had drastically changed and people were becoming much more skeptical of what they were learning.

Not only were people becoming more skeptical of the educational system as time went on, but they were