Shakespeare's Sisters: How Women Wrote the Renaissance by Ramie Targoff

Ramie Targoff's groundbreaking exploration of women writers in the English Renaissance challenges traditional notions of the Shakespearean period. Through the lives of four remarkable women—Mary Sidney, Aemilia Lanyer, Elizabeth Cary, and Anne Clifford—Targoff offers a vivid portrait of their struggles and triumphs in a society where women were legally subjugated to men.

Targoff's narrative transports readers from the opulent coronation of Queen Elizabeth to the intimate worlds of these women writers, who defied societal expectations and carved out spaces for themselves in a male-dominated literary landscape. While Mary Sidney and Elizabeth Cary may be familiar names to some, Targoff shines a light on lesser-known figures like Aemilia Lanyer and Anne Clifford, whose contributions to literature have often been overlooked.

Despite facing numerous obstacles, including familial responsibilities and limited support for their craft, these women pursued their passion for writing with determination and resilience. Through their works, they offered feminist perspectives on topics ranging from the crucifixion to the struggles of Jewish princesses.

Targoff's meticulous research and engaging storytelling illuminate the lives of these extraordinary women, revealing the richness and complexity of their experiences. By centering their stories, Targoff invites readers to reevaluate our understanding of the Renaissance period and recognize the significant contributions of women writers.

In "Women Writers in the English Renaissance," Targoff celebrates the enduring legacy of these trailblazing writers, offering a fresh perspective on history and highlighting the importance of amplifying female voices in the literary canon. Through her exploration, Targoff invites readers to reconsider the role of women in shaping the cultural landscape of Shakespeare's era.