Feminism in Times of Darkness: Porto-Feminist Attempts in Medieval and Renaissance Periods

Third International Language-for-All Conference, Adana, Türkiye, 17 - 18 Ekim 2024, ss.38

Determining the precise and definitive meaning of feminism is a challenging

task in and of itself. However, it is abundantly clear that the movement has

undergone numerous periods characterised by protests, repression, and

redefinitions in accordance with the objectives of its adherents; thus, it is

practically futile to explicitly identify the term and school. It is still feasible to

emphasize that feminism encompasses judicial, political, economic, and social

equality between both genders. Although the term, feminism, was not

encountered in the literary world until the late nineteenth century, it would be

unjust to put forth that there were no proto-feminist experimentations. Despite

the absence of tangible endeavours towards authentic conscious feminist

movements during the Middle Ages, women began to scrutinise their societal

positions ever since that time. Although they do not align with the feminist

ideology, their efforts to assert their independence within patriarchal societies

are noteworthy; thus, they could be categorised as proto-feminists. Their

primary concerns for centuries have been reclaiming their stolen identities and

their insistence on elevating their own existence within the patriarchal system.

Initially crippled by sexual, economic, judicial, political, educational, and

civilian discrimination, a portion of them were subsequently subdued by an

illuminating force, despite the fact that they had opponents among their own

sex-fellows. Moreover, through literature, writing, and active engagement in

demonstrations against the prevailing social order, women have gradually

gained certain liberties. The dissemination of feminist movements

commenced in this manner, initially inadvertently but with a deliberate

intention, persisting for centuries. As such, this article seeks to sketch the

portrait of proto-feminist attempts in the Medieval Age and Renaissance by

way of textual analysis and references to prominent female figures of the

periods.