In theoretical works such as Orazione, Della institutione, and Raffaella, the Italian writer, scientist,
and philogynist Alessandro Piccolomini (1508–78) outlines the characteristics that should make up the
perfect woman. In his comedies—Alessandro and L’Amor costante—focusing mainly on the theme
of love, Piccolomini presents some of the same ideas, articulating them through his noble and cultured
female characters. This article examines Piccolomini’s dramatic productions in light of his treatises
and other writings on women in order to underline his originality in the creation of these female
characters. On the one hand, they are models of virtue and decorum; on the other, they demonstrate
an unusual degree of initiative in love. They are conscious of their desires, and they defend their right
to choose their lovers. In this way, Piccolomini describes new traits of the perfect woman.PID-2019
