Tullia d’Aragona: una lectura feminista avant la lettre del neoplatonismo renacentista

Abstract

In her treatise Della infinità di amore (1547), Tullia d’Aragona (c. 1510-1556) elaborates an original interpretation of the Neo-Platonism of her time, especially with respect to the theme of love, in vogue in the 16th century. Tullia’s originality lies in being the author of the only Italian erotic dialogue with Neo-Platonic influence written by a woman during the Renaissance. In this dialogue, the courtesan postulates the natural equality of men and women, which becomes a radical revision of the concept of love developed by other love treatises of her time.

In this paper, I propose to highlight the originality of Tullia d’Aragona’s concept of love. To achieve this purpose, I will divide this work as follows: first, I will dwell on Tullia’s strategies to discuss a topic traditionally dealt with by philosophers and male scholars. In addition, I will address the critics that the courtesan-philosopher dedicates to these authorities. Secondly, I will deal with the main problem developed in the dialogue, that is, whether it is possible to love infinitely or whether there is a limit to such activity. Finally, I will analyze the concept of amore onesto and its particularities in order to defend the originality introduced by Tullia in the Renaissance discussion of love.