The aim of this thesis is to propose a thorough study of the Rime di donne, the first anthology dedicated entirely to female poets, edited by Domenichi and printed by Busdraghi in Lucca in 1559. The thesis investigates [1] Domenichi’s and Busdraghi’s role in shaping this collection, [2] their involvement in the querelle des femmes and [3] the content of the anthology. By analysing its texts and its structure, my thesis challenges the received critical view of the Rime as simply a cabinet of poetic curiosities (Wunderkammer).
The thesis consists of six chapters, followed by an Appendix, which contains the transcription of the 330 poems anthologised. Chapter 1 explores the profile of the editor and the printer, their working relationship as well as the political and religious setting of the anti-Medicean Republic of Lucca. Chapters 2 and 3 focus on Domenichi’s participation in the querelle and set the Rime within the wider frame of the diffusion of verse anthologies between 1545 and 1559. Chapter 4 analyses the literary profile of Gambara, Colonna, and Stampa and provides a biographical and stylistic profile of each anthologised author. Finally, the thesis proposes a metrical, thematic and structural analysis of the anthology in its entirety.
With the Rime di donne, Domenichi presented to the public a definitive demonstration of the excellence of female nature, providing a ‘counter melody’ made up of 330 poems against the Rime di diversi nobilissimi autori series of poetic anthologies. The content, however, continues to partly reflect Domenichi’s interests in politics and religious topics. In fact, the prominence and space given by the editor to the Sienese poet Virginia de’ Salvi leaves room to challenge the assumptions about Domenichi’s position toward his protector Cosimo I. Furthermore, the group of poems Domenichi chose to be representative of Vittoria Colonna’s profile, which focuses in particular on the Maddalena, the Virgin, and the Cross, can be read in the light of Domenichi’s heterodox interests. Finally, the Rime represents a precious corpus of poetry that can be further investigated with respect to the construction of the female poetic persona. This corpus also highlights the significance of the poetic and stylistic legacy of Gambara and Colonna for the second generation of women writers, as well as for those noblewomen who embraced the Petrarchist’s experience in the many ways the Rime di donne testifies.
