Consider Pizan’s emphasis on virginity and chastity as some of the hallmarks of good character in her work.

Pizan emphasizes virginity and chastity as some of the hallmarks of good character as there was widespread agreement among people in the 1400s, particularly of men, that the perfect woman should consist of these traits. As Pizan is appealing to a largely male audience, she wants to use ideas that they are familiar with in order to better sway their negative opinions on women. To add on, virginity and chastity juxtapose the characterization of prostitution and fornication commonly bestowed on women bymen. Furthermore, virginity and chastity also juxtapose the overlooked corruption of men. Pizan gives multiple examples of bitter men who spoke of women as vile creatures who did nothing but sleep around when they themselves slept with numerous women in their youth. Thus, by emphasizing virginity and chastity as some of the hallmarks of good character, Pizan subtly throws shade at hyprocritical men who criticize women for their actions when they had done the same or even worse.