The Book of the City of Ladies Book 2, Chapters 41-45 Summary

  • When it comes to questioning women's sexual purity, Lady Rectitude wants us not to forget the example set by Penelope, the mythical wife of Ulysses.
  • When Ulysses left home to fight in the Trojan War, Penelope had all kinds of guys trying to take Ulysses' place. The hubby was gone for so long that everyone was sure he was dead. But Penelope remained loyal to him until he finally showed up back at home. And we're talking decades after he originally left.
  • After Rectitude gives these examples, Christine brings up a creepy thought: that some men think that women secretly want to be raped. This is unfortunately an idea that still exists.
  • But the fact remains that many women from history have committed suicide after being raped, which hardly suggests that they wanted it to happen.