History Extra podcast

Forgotten women writers of the Renaissance

May 23, 2024

Ramie Targoff, author of 'Shakespeare's Sisters', discusses forgotten women writers of the Renaissance including Mary Sidney and Elizabeth Cary, exploring their literary contributions and the impact they could have had on the canon. The podcast delves into the struggles and achievements of these pioneering women, highlighting their resilience in a male-dominated society.

42:36

Episode guests

Ramie Targoff

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Mary Sidney was the first to translate the Book of Psalms into English poetry, overshadowed by Shakespeare's fame.

Elizabeth Cary published the first original play by an English woman, highlighting significant contributions in Renaissance literature.

Deep dives

Mary Sidney and Lesser-Known Renaissance Women Writers

Raimi Targoff explores four Renaissance women writers in her book 'Shakespeare Sisters', shedding light on literary figures overshadowed by Shakespeare. These women, like Mary Sidney and Elizabeth Carey, made significant contributions during Shakespeare's era. Targoff discovered these female writers post-PhD, emphasizing their unnoticed presence in literary history. By delving into their works, she seeks to amplify their impact for a broader audience.

Introduction

3min

Exploring the Voices of Women Writers in Shakespeare's England

2min

Exploring Renaissance Women Writers

21min

Exploring a Writer's Dedication to Women and Radical Biblical Interpretation

3min

Reimagining a Historical Tale and Challenging Societal Norms

3min

Unrecognized Renaissance Women Writers

7min

You've heard of Shakespeare, but have you heard of his contemporary Mary Sidney, the first person to translate the Book of Psalms into English poetry? Or what about Elizabeth Cary, who published the first original play known to be written by a woman in English? In her new book Shakespeare's Sisters: Four Women Who Wrote the Renaissance, Ramie Targoff delves into the lives of four fascinating women writers from the Renaissance period. Speaking to Lauren Good, she explores a poignant question: what would the literary canon look like if these women had been better remembered?

(Ad) Ramie Targoff is the author of Shakespeare's Sisters: Four Women Who Wrote the Renaissance (Riverrun, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shakespeares-Sisters-Women-Wrote-Renaissance/dp/1529404894/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.

History Extra podcast

Forgotten women writers of the Renaissance

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Mary Sidney and Lesser-Known Renaissance Women Writers

Revealing Women's Voices in History

Exploring Anne Clifford's Tenacity and Inheritance Battle

Amelia Lanier's Profound Literary Contributions and Social Commentary

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts