Section 7, II/7-II/15 Summary and Analysis

In "Christine addresses Lady Rectitude," Christine asks why parents prefer having sons to daughters, and Rectitude explains that parents worry about the cost of a dowry, though educating sons is as expensive, as well as innocent ladies being misled, though sons cause parents stress from their depraved habits. Daughters are more likely to care for their aging parents, while sons wish their parents dead to obtain their inheritance. In "Here begins a series of daughters who loved their parents, the first of whom is Drypetina," Queen Drypetina of Laodicea is loyal to her father, King Mithradates, following him into battle rather than reveling in luxury in her own land. When Pompey defeats King Mithradates, Queen Drypetina takes care of her father. "About Hypsipyle" tells the story of Hypsipyle, whose father, Thoas, is King of Lemnos. Rebels advance...