Fables of The Bees in Sixteenth-Century France

CMRS Roundtable

Throughout the Renaissance, the interest in insects lagged behind the study of zoology and natural history. Yet the honeybee represents an exception because of its symbolic dimension in the Bible as well as in the Greek and Roman literary heritage. In this talk, Professor Cynthia Skenazi (French and Italian, UC Santa Barbara, and CMRS Associate) shows how Pierre de Ronsard’s poetry offers a way to explore how references to bees brought together politics, religion, gender, and poetry in sixteenth century France.

Advance registration not required. No fee. Limited seating.