Humanities and Arts
Figuring Vittoria Colonna’s Desirous Widow in Francisco de Aldana’s ‘Pues cabe tanto en vos del bien del cielo’
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Paul Joseph Lennon
Abstract
The sonnet ‘Pues cabe tanto en vos del bien del cielo’ by Spanish Neapolitan poet Francisco de Aldana (1537-78) challenges interpretation through its genre-defying mix of consolatory, philosophic, and amatory elements; in particular, its inclusion of an enigmatic statement by a ventriloquized female figure alien to contemporary Hispanic courtly poetry. In this study, I offer an interpretation through a comparative study with the Rime amorose (1538) of Vittoria Colonna (1490-1547), in which she popularized the Petrarchan voice of the desiring widow in Italian poetry. After establishing a link between the Aldana and Colonna families by virtue of the fragment ‘Aunque a la alta región del alegría’, which addresses the death of Colonna’s niece, I explain how the yearning contained within Colonna’s lyric, noted to possess an erotic potential, may have led Aldana to incorporate this voice in his own poetic exploration of a combinatory spiritual and physical philosophy of love. Additionally, given the absence of the Colonnaesque tradition in Spain, I consider how expressions of desire by female voices in the arte menor and pastoral traditions potentially could have led to a similar interpretation for Hispanic readers.
Key Questions
What is the central theme of this study?
The study examines the poetic representation of Vittoria Colonna as a “desirous widow” in Francisco de Aldana’s sonnet ‘Pues cabe tanto en vos del bien del cielo,’ exploring themes of spirituality, desire, and widowhood.
Who was Vittoria Colonna, and why is she significant?
Vittoria Colonna was an influential Italian poet and noblewoman of the Renaissance, known for her religious poetry and correspondence with figures like Michelangelo. Her image has inspired many literary and artistic works.
What is the significance of Francisco de Aldana’s poem in this context?
Francisco de Aldana’s poem portrays Colonna as an emblem of spiritual desire and transcendence, using her widowhood as a metaphor for longing and connection to divine love.
How does the poem balance themes of earthly and divine love?
The poem weaves together earthly and divine love by presenting Colonna’s widowhood as a state of spiritual aspiration, where human longing serves as a pathway to the divine.
What literary techniques does Aldana use to depict Colonna?
Aldana employs metaphor, allegory, and imagery to portray Colonna as a bridge between the earthly and heavenly realms, emphasizing her spiritual purity and capacity for divine connection.
What role does widowhood play in the poem?
Widowhood is depicted as a state of transformation and elevation, where earthly loss fosters a deeper spiritual bond with the divine, highlighting Colonna’s virtue and transcendence.
How does this study contribute to the understanding of Renaissance literature?
The study sheds light on the cultural and spiritual significance of Vittoria Colonna’s image in Renaissance literature, illustrating how her life and work inspired complex representations of desire and sanctity.
What broader insights does this study provide?
This study explores how literary depictions of historical figures can reflect and shape cultural ideas about spirituality, gender, and the human condition during the Renaissance period.
