Liz Hale points out that in the male-dominated society, one could expect that trobairitz work would include the adoration of man; rather, it is the complete opposite and they are anything but submissive to men. (Fifes) One trobairitz who does this is Lady Castelloza who shows no fear of criticizing the actions of a man and acknowledging her own worth: “I’m angry if you refuse me any joy, and if you let me die you’ll commit a sin. I’ll be in torment, and you’ll be vilely blamed.” (source) Another trobairitz who is not afraid to speak her mind and against the male dominated norms of society is Contessa de Dia. Not only does she speak of replacing her current husband with another man, she makes it clear that her opinion is something that
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Furthermore, some troubadours even pushed the barriers for societal norms of men and women. One of the most interesting troubadour women was Bieiris de Romans. In one of her works she challenged the societal norm greatly by writing a piece of of love centered around another woman and analyzed today as a lesbian poem. Addressing a certain Maria, she writes in terms similar to those used by male troubadours wooing their distant ladies: “if it please you, lovely woman, then give me that which most hope and joy promises for in you lie my desire and my heart and from you stems all my happiness,/ and because of you I’m often sighing” (source) Through her work, Bieris gives concreteness and life to her emotions, showing that she has an opinion and is able to eloquently voice her feelings and emotions even if these run counter to the acceptable social relations of her day. What these trobaritiz represent for women is something that was not commonly found in medieval society: a female voice. These women defied the established social norms and successfully offered a female perspective on their society and their place within it. They did not limit their work to the preexisting standards of their society, but rather they established their own distinctive
Furthermore, some troubadours even pushed the barriers for societal norms of men and women. One of the most interesting troubadour women was Bieiris de Romans. In one of her works she challenged the societal norm greatly by writing a piece of of love centered around another woman and analyzed today as a lesbian poem. Addressing a certain Maria, she writes in terms similar to those used by male troubadours wooing their distant ladies: “if it please you, lovely woman, then give me that which most hope and joy promises for in you lie my desire and my heart and from you stems all my happiness,/ and because of you I’m often sighing” (source) Through her work, Bieris gives concreteness and life to her emotions, showing that she has an opinion and is able to eloquently voice her feelings and emotions even if these run counter to the acceptable social relations of her day. What these trobaritiz represent for women is something that was not commonly found in medieval society: a female voice. These women defied the established social norms and successfully offered a female perspective on their society and their place within it. They did not limit their work to the preexisting standards of their society, but rather they established their own distinctive