Essay On Marriage In Giovanni And Lussana By Gene Brucker

Marriage is a legally recognized and socially accepted relationship, typically including a man and a woman, that is governed by laws, regulations, conventions, beliefs, and attitudes that establish the partners' obligations. While this is the current definition of marriage, throughout history, marriage has been used for other purposes like politics, social status, and so-called honor. These specific definitions were used frequently during the time period of the Renaissance in Florence and in some situations, these other purposes outweighed the most crucial aspect of marriage today, love. These conflicting ideas of marriage can be seen in the book, Giovanni and Lussana written by Gene Brucker. The book discusses a clandestine relationship between

It can destroy civilizations, and tear them apart or if used wisely can create great prosperity. It all comes down to a person's worldview of what success means to them. During this time period of innovation in the Renaissance, the main focus was to make connections between other powerful forces. For example, some would reach for power within a well-established institution like the Catholic Church. While others would reach for economic power, which is how the Medici family utilized banking to become one of the most powerful families in Florence. They would use politics in order to retain their power. While on a smaller scale, Giovanni wanted his marriage to either bring more power or for him to at least retain it. He couldn’t marry Lussana because she didn’t give him a political advantage. While his first wife Niccolosa gave him the political advantage he needed since she was connected to other wealthy families in Florence at the time. The book discusses the political ramification this had in Florence at the time, “The resonances of the dispute between two lovers extended far beyond their own lives and fortunes; its effects were felt throughout the social, political, and religious world of Renaissance Florence”. Political marriages were reserved mostly for the elite class in Florence, in this specific situation the reveal of Lussana’s second marriage sent ripples through the society. As people didn’t know whether to believe her claim of marriage. Frankly, you have to question the motive Giovanni would ever have to marry Lussana. Especially in a time period where the value of marriage was not in love but, about what the partner could give. Lussana had nothing to offer but herself, so if Giovanni were to have gotten married to her it would have been for love. This still wouldn’t make sense because he fights that they were never married, if this was truly a romantic relationship then Giovanni should have welcomed her with