Margherita Sarrocchis La Scanderbeide (1623)

Abstract The contribution focuses on the staging of experiential knowledge as a resource for the characterization of the warriors Rosmonda and Silveria in Margherita Sarrocchi’s „poema eroico“ La Scanderbeide (Roma: Andrea Fei 1623), with additional references to Lucrezia Marinella’s L’Enrico, ovvero Bisanzio acquistato (Venezia: Ghirardo Imberti 1635). The analysis is based on the thesis that the value of experience for the „excellence“ of women, which is clearly stated in L’Enrico , is also already present in La Scanderbeide . Furthermore the article aims to show how Sarrocchi, in her letters to Galileo Galilei, enhances her position as an adept authoress of epic poetry by referring both to her practical experience as well as to her erudition.