The essay discusses the notion of agency, which has been a key theme in gender studies over the last forty years, starting from the genesis of the concept and how it has been assimilated in studies dealing with women’s history. The polysemic nature of the term, which can encompass a vast array of choices and behaviours, is emphasised. It follows that agency is an extremely slippery term because it actually conceals the many nuances of a very complex and varied situation. The essay then considers how the concept of agency has been interpreted in medieval studies, identifying research fields in which it can be adopted with insights into studies that have considered wills and the role of women in the economy.
Agency. Una prospettiva dalla medievistica
Bezzina, Denise;Guglielmotti, Paola
2024-01-01
Abstract
The essay discusses the notion of agency, which has been a key theme in gender studies over the last forty years, starting from the genesis of the concept and how it has been assimilated in studies dealing with women’s history. The polysemic nature of the term, which can encompass a vast array of choices and behaviours, is emphasised. It follows that agency is an extremely slippery term because it actually conceals the many nuances of a very complex and varied situation. The essay then considers how the concept of agency has been interpreted in medieval studies, identifying research fields in which it can be adopted with insights into studies that have considered wills and the role of women in the economy.
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