Lucrece and Brutus Glory in the Land of Tender

A collection of texts by a pioneering seventeenth-century French woman author.
 
Comprising texts by Madeleine de Scudéry, including many from her novel Clélie, this volume focuses on the story of Lucretia, the Roman matron whose rape and suicide led to the downfall of the Roman monarchy. Through her work, Scudéry seeks to contrast the enormous cultural contributions of women with their physical vulnerability and to propose an alternative to sexual violation, as envisioned on the Map of the Land of Tender that charts an imaginary land in the novel and outlines a path toward love. In Scudérys version of this tale, Lucrece and her beloved, Brutus, follow the path of tender friendship. Scudéry contradicts historys characterization of Lucrece as craving glory in the form of fame. Indeed, contrary to ancient sources, Lucreces glory will be her decision to sacrifice herself secretly for her tender friend.
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