‘Opera nova, Dove si contegono alcune Bustachine alla Bolognese, Con la Massarina, & doi Sonetti Amorosi’

Text

La fatica si e questa quando marito s'ha,
Esser accorta, e honesta, e far i fat di cà,
Tener acconte la robba, e governare
E mai non riposare, se figliuoli si fà.

Altro ci vuol ancora stame pur ad odir
Levarsi su a buon'hora e teser, e cusir
Spaciar la ca, le casse col quadretto
Ornar, e far il letto dove si sta a dormir.

So far pane, e bugata, e so far da mangier
E schimar la pignata, e tessere e filar',
So far le spole, e si so far la pasta
E l'animo me basta i figli d'allevar.

Commentary

In this poem, the speaker’s voice is that of a housewife, who describes her daily activities, responsibilities and skills. When you have a husband, she says, you must keep account of and oversee the goods of the house, and if you have children, never rest. She describes rising early to weave, sew, sweep and make the beds, and also notes her cooking abilities. The poem concentrates on the processes of daily housework and women’s responsibilities within the home.

Themes

Gender / Sexualities
Labour

Dominant Representational Strategies

Context

Dwelling

Type
Residential
Detail
House
Historical Terminology
Specified Social Level
Unspecified

Activities

Type
Eating and Drinking
Hygiene and Upkeep
Intellectual, Cultural and Spritual
Detail
Cooking
Cleaning
Managing
Sewing
Spinning

Rooms

Type
Historical Terminology

Inhabitants

Type
People
Detail
Adults
Children
Female
Male

Objects

Type
Furniture
Equipment
The Arts, Recreation and Ceremony
Detail
Supporting, Storage and Display
Reclining / Sleeping
Tools, Utensils and Appliances

Bibliography

Direct Cross-References

Indirect Cross-References

Names
Anon.
Date(s)
1588
Country
Italy
Historical Region
Description
Format
Book
Type
Poetry
Genre
Publication
Appresso Bartholomeo Ragusij, Urbino, 1588, fols. 2 r - v
Copyright
Location
Record ID
FD391