Every day Quote by Sarah Bradford
““Elisabetta Gonzaga de Montefeltro, Duchess of Urbino, was one of the most celebrat women of her age. . . She was much praised for her saintliness in enduring a sexless marriage to Guidobaldo who was both impotent and for much of his life crippled by what was described as 'gout' but was probably rheumatoid arthritis, which deformed his body from a young age. According to the archivist Luzio, despite his impotence Guidobaldo was extremely erotically inclined, so that Elisabetta was in a state of suspense every day in case he might fall upon her and have a relapse.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Court of the Medici, Sarah Bradford, 1999
Elisabetta endured a painful, sexless marriage while maintaining saintly reputation, highlighting personal sacrifice and complex marital dynamics.
In simple terms: She lived a difficult marriage with dignity.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden struggles behind public images.
Themes
marriage
sacrifice
gender roles
historical biography
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
historical
biographical
analytical
When to use this quote
- historical research
- gender studies
- psychological analysis
Key Concepts
Rheumatology
sexual politics
social expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- How did societal expectations shape her response?
- What can modern readers learn about resilience?
A Different Perspective
Limited primary sources may bias interpretation of personal feelings.
