In sixteenth- and seventeenth-century England, some women, by benefit of their noble birth or adjacency to court culture, attained enough education in literature and music to make them the equals of men as poets and performers. Women also played important roles as patrons of literature and music, creating the material context that fostered art. Yet Renaissance cultural history is still told as a male-dominated story, with outsize representation of a few male artists, notably Shakespeare. These women, such as Mary Sidney, Aemila Lanyer, Mary Wroth, Anne Clifford, and others, are still little-known. Why do we call it the “age of Shakespeare” and overlook these artists? This course will spotlight these women, their lives, their artistic accomplishments, and the musical and literary communities some formed at their grand houses. In addition, students will learn to play music written in this context on the viola da gamba using instruments from Wellesley’s collection.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 12

Crosslisted Courses: MUS 229

Prerequisites: None.

Distribution Requirements: ARS - Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Film and Video; HS - Historical Studies

Typical Periods Offered: Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall

Notes: Mandatory Credit/Non Credit.