Montaigne wrote essays at the end of a decisive period of history, the Renaissance. This period corresponds to the rise of the bourgeoisie, the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. This growth is directly visible in many ways, first and foremost was the development of large cities in Europe as a result of the emergence of a whole class around trade. These cities include Antwerp in the Netherlands, Lyon, France, Seville, Spain, Lisbon, Portugal, Italy and especially Florence, Siena, Milan. The population of Venice increased from 100,000 in 1500 to 175,000 in 1570. Naples moved from a population of 150 000 to 275 000 in a century. The fortunes of merchants at the same time enriched the great figures of the industry, such as wool, and the bank.
Montaigne and women
Montaigne also gave her views about women. Misogynistic, Montaigne wrote unvarnished mothers raise their children in France in luxury that women are incapable of high thoughts and generous, they have an uncontrolled sexuality. This is the stroke of the prejudices of his time on this, Montaigne shows no critical. Nevertheless his misogyny is somewhat mitigated in the third book of Essais (Scherr, Arthur, pp. 251-282).
What is surprising is that it's fan Marie Le Jars de Gournay, poet and feminist, said that she will edit Montaigne's writing after his death. She wrote on equality of men and women. She explains that Jesus was chosen as a man, because the Jews would not accept a woman savior. But Miss Gournay emphasizes the importance of Mary, who did the work to give birth to Jesus.
The Renaissance Period
This is a real class to attack the company, to conquer the world, and it brings in its wake intellectuals in all fields. This has been told to Engels that the Renaissance was ...