The Feminine Presence in the First Book of Montaigne’s Essais

Christian Hall, LLEA/French

In the Essais of 16^th century French writer Michel de Montaigne, there is a notable feminine presence. Criticized by some as misogynistic and lauded by others as pro-woman, Montaigne has been perceived as both a friend and foe to the image of women in the Renaissance era. In this paper, the various roles of women are explored, from intelligent and powerful individuals to a second-rate breed incapable of participation in the institution of friendship both with each other and with men. This study concludes that women are held in high esteem by Montaigne yet at the same time they are in some ways inferior to their male counterparts. Women play many roles in Montaigne’s Essais, ranging from tribal wives in the New World to Madame de Foix, Contesse de Gurson, an expectant mother in French high society to whom he dedicates an entire chapter discussing the education of her unborn son. Montaigne also revives several philosophic texts of antiquity, which provide an inner framework for his Essais in the form of support for his ideas; these ancient texts also bring a new depth to the image of women in the Montagnian text. Through the analysis of Montaigne’s own words as well as the writings of critics on both sides, it can be concluded that both sentiments exist simultaneously in the text, and that Montaigne can be perceived as more traditional in some areas concerning the image of women while (in retrospect) progressive in others.