Gender Norms In The Story Of Judith

Understanding the gender norms during the Renaissance reveals how the story of Judith is fraught with tension. Tension is derived from both the story and how its message relates to the gender norms in the seventeenth century. In a society where women were constantly trying to balance their positions in a patriarchal society, the story discloses a disconnect between what the female heroine Judith represents and how Renaissance women were expected to behave. Judith is a confident, well-respected woman in her community who prophesies with wisdom, has no difficulty countering the male leaders and assertively accomplishes her plan. She exhibits humility and conquers her foe by using intelligence, witty charm, and bewitching beauty. Her courage is proven by her willingness to stand up for the community and singlehandedly killing their powerful enemy. Reviewing a couple of paintings can illustrate how Renaissance artists tackled the inverted power relationship in the story of Judith and the position they take when rendering who gets credit for the heroic action. Two examples are Sandro …show more content…
2) as a strong female heroine moments after the murder. Judith is in the act of handing over Holofernes’ head to her maidservant after the violent act. Her breast is exposed and she is gazing outward directly at the viewer. The dramatic scene is emphasized by the use of a single light source from below by the candle held in the elderly maidservant’s grip. Judith is looking outward towards the viewer and her physical appearance appears to be an amalgamation of both genders. Her breasts are voluptuous, yet her arms are muscular, like a man’s. The overall painting is menacing. Rubens paints an almost femme fatale image or Judith as a woman who demonstrated her victim’s demise was due to her irresistible sexuality, rather than strength. The image conforms to the notion that women will use their sexuality to manipulate