Women and Romance Fiction in the English Renaissance

Focusing on the evolution of Renaissance romance, the book explores its shift from being aimed at female readers to being authored by women. Helen Hackett analyzes a variety of writers, including Lyly, Rich, Greene, Sidney, Spenser, and Shakespeare, leading to an in-depth look at Lady Mary Wroth's groundbreaking work, Urania. The study highlights the changing depictions of female heroism and self-identity, particularly how traditional saintly roles were adapted for secular and erotic contexts.