Abstract
The paper discusses the article, "Catherine de Medicis and the Performance of Political Motherhood," written by Catherine Crawford, published in 2000 in the 'Sixteenth Century Journal'. The paper examines the main focus of the text and evaluates that the article is based around the idea that the "position of political prominence" that Catherine de Medicis acquired was due mainly to "her own initiative by presenting herself as a devoted wife, widow and mother as the basis of her political entitlement." The paper explores the idea that the article focuses on the period between the death of Henry II, Catherine's husband and King of France, and the queen's actions aimed at securing her son's rights to the throne and keeping it away from the dangers of the rivalries between the noble families.

From the Paper
"Catherine de Medicis and the Performance of Political Motherhood was written by Catherine Crawford and published in 2000 in the Sixteenth Century Journal. The main focus of the text in question is placed on the development of the idea of the "position of political prominence" that Catherine de Medicis acquired was due mainly to "her own initiative by presenting herself as a devoted wife, widow and mother as the basis of her political entitlement" . Crawford argues that Catherine's wise decision not to oppose the traditional place widowed queen mothers held in French dynasties during the coming of age of their sons was precisely the factor that contributed essentially to her entitlement of authority during the reign of her three sons who became kings. In other words, the article focuses on the period between the death of Henry II, Catherine's husband and king of France and the queen's actions aimed at securing her son's rights to the throne and keeping it away from the dangers of the rivalries between the noble families; in addition, Crawford points out a rather insignificant account of the Venetian ambassador to the French court in 1551, Lorenzo Contarini, who claimed that Catherine offered to "retire to a convent or otherwise step aside to allow Henry to remarry of the king should wish it". She was of course declined by her father-in-low, according to the ambassador. Crawford then argues that this way of making an entrance as the queen, or at lest the mere pretence that she did offer to step aside because of her lack of children at the time she was to become queen of France should attract the attention of those who are interested in distinguishing fact from fiction. Moreover, in Crawford's vision, Contarini's tale, true or false, seven years after it was supposed to have happened, raises questions regarding the very aim of telling such a story. The fact that the story had a true base or not becomes in Crawford's view secondary since the very rumor that the queen acted like that was enough to create her an image of a woman who understood her place and put the interests of her country above her own. This will be the starting point for the development of her "carrier" and queen and queen mother."

Tags:focus, text, development, idea

Abstract
There is much debate over whether Catherine the Great was an enlightened despot. This paper discusses that, despite contentions that her policies were enacted to only benefit herself, Catherine the Great studied the works of leading enlightened thinkers so that she could make educated decisions for her country. It explains how Catherine the Great's exact goals as a ruler may be found in her 1766 work, entitled "Instructions to the Commissioners for Composing a New Code of Laws," which references enlightened thinkers of the day and promoted the creation of a free society. Although Catherine the Great did not achieve all of her enlightened goals, she took steps that allowed them to be realized in the future.

From the Paper
"Despite occasional shortcomings, Catherine the Great ruled Russia as a true enlightened despot from 1762 to 1796. During that time, she corresponded with many renowned thinkers of the enlightenment and converted their theories into law. Additionally, she made significant agricultural and scientific reforms, and she attempted to bring equality to Russian society. Although she failed to end serfdom, she promoted the ideals of equality for all under the law. Because of this, Catherine the Great must be considered a dedicated and successful enlightened despot."

Tags:beccaria, code, commissioners, diderot, encyclopedia, enlightenment, montesquieu, revolution, russia, serfdom, serfs, voltaire

Abstract
In the novel "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte, the lives of all the characters are affected in some aspect by Catherine Earnshaw. The paper explores how she possesses a certain power over the inhabitants of Wuthering Heights as well as those of Thrushcross Grange and how she influences the events that occur at these two residences. The paper shows how the predominance of Catherine even surpasses her earthly life-- her memory lingers in the minds of those who love her and is as powerful as she herself is when she is alive. From beginning to end, "Wuthering Heights" is dominated by Catherine Earnshaw.

From the Paper
"This undying love for Catherine is shared by Heathcliff, who arrives at Thrushcross Grange after a disappearance of three years, ignoring the fact that Catherine is married. Though Edgar resents his being in his house, Heathcliff frequently visits Catherine at the Grange until he and Edgar have a fight and he is banned from seeing Catherine. Nevertheless, Heathcliff, with help from Nelly, secretly meets with her one last time. They talk of their love for one another, asking forgiveness for all of the wrongs they imposed upon one another. When Catherine accuses him of forgetting her someday, Heathcliff replies, " . . . you know that I could as soon forget you as my existence!" (156). Holding Catherine tightly and realizing that he is losing her to the one force to which his vengeance means nothing, Heathcliff cries in despair, "Oh, Cathy! Oh, my life! How can I bear it?" (156). Catherine dies early the next morning and is buried in a corner or the kirkyard near the moors she and Heathcliff loved so much."

Tags:Heathcliff, Edgar, Linton, Nelly, Hareton

Abstract
This paper examines the career of Catherine the Great, the Empress of Russia and the woman who dragged Russia into modernity. Specifically, this essay looks at her reformist policies, her cultural contributions, her personal life (for this has often been the area her critics have used to denounce her) and her imperishable contributions to westernizing Russia. The paper concludes that Catherine the Great was a quintessential feminist ruler who probably had no conception of what such a term meant; in her view, she simply sought to rescue Russia from its own backwardness whilst simultaneously charting an independent path that, on occasion, brought her into conflict with the morals and expectations of her age.

From the Paper
"This essay will examine the career of Catherine the Great, the Empress of Russia and the woman who dragged Russia into modernity. Specifically, this essay will look at her reformist policies, her cultural contributions, her personal life (for this has often been the area her critics have used to denounce her) and her imperishable contributions to westernizing Russia. In the end, Catherine the Great was a quintessential feminist ruler who probably had no conception of what such a term meant; in her view, she simply sought to rescue Russia from its own backwardness whilst..."

Tags:policies, westernization, russia

Abstract
This paper discusses the importance of the life and contribution of St Catherine to the time when Italy was ridden with plague, schism and political and religious turmoil. It especially discusses the importance of her letters which were St. Catherine's trademark - powerful and effective letters that proved that her hope in the Lord is never in vain.

From the Paper
"Catherine Benincasa was born in 1347 in Siena, just as the Renaissance era was beginning (Jrgensen, 1938). She was a generous, happy child, whose life was inspired by a remarkable experience, which most likely determined her vocation. One day, she was walking with her brother when she stopped still in the road, looking up into the sky.

She did not hear the calls of her brother, who had walked on ahead. Only after he came back and grabbed her by the hand did she snap out of her trance and burst into tears. She had seen a vision of Christ seated in glory with the Apostles Peter, Paul, and John, which inspired her to dedicate her life to God."

Tags:god, letter, italy, religion, catholic, church

Abstract
This paper reviews and analyzes the short story "Chicken Hips" by Catherine Pigott. The writer relates that she found the story very absorbing because of its gentle humor and the many lessons it teaches about what it is like to be a woman in a world where stereotypes abound. The paper then discusses the following issues from the story: the social construction of beauty, the life lesson of doing the right thing and not simply the popular thing, and the impressionability of human beings.

Table of Contents:
Outline of Paper
Why "Chicken Hips" Matters

From the Paper
"Whereas North American - and European - women cut and shape and torment their bodies to fit some artificial construct of what constitutes true feminine beauty, women in Gambia, who have seen more desperation and suffering than most of their white colleagues can imagine, are interested in the things that really matter: health, fecundity, and a positive self-image. In the end, their culture is far less so an artificial one because the exigencies of daily living in a part of the world where drought and pestilence can rear up at any moment have made Gambian women appreciate that only those who never have to fear going without can actually afford to make the bizarre choice of going without."

Tags:humor, narrator, self-image, culturally-constructed, health

Abstract
This paper reviews the role Lady Catherine de Bourgh plays in Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. The paper discusses this relatively minor character whose presence is formidable and whose role is important. This paper examines the important role she plays in plot and character development in Pride and Prejudice.
Consideration will be given in the first instance to these aspects, but consideration will also be given to any light this character may shed on the debate as to Austen's possible feminist sentiments.

Tags:austen, pride, prejudice

Abstract
This paper will discuss Catherine De Medici's role in France and how she influenced the political climate of her country. By showing examples of the prowess that she exuded over rival countries such as Spain, we can examine how she helped to transform politics in her arena of power.

Abstract
This paper gives an insight into the religious life of Catherine of Siena, with an emphasis on her mystical life. The author discusses the influences of the young saint, her seclusion in a convent, and her written experiences with God in the ten sections of "The Dialogue".

From the Paper
"Catherine s mystical experiences were nothing crazy or out of the ordinary. Her experiences were typical mystical experiences. She prayed to God with her petitions, he revealed himself to her in the form of truth and light, and it left her satisfied. Catherine lived a short life. If she were to have lived longer, who knows how many other experiences she would have had."

Tags:mysticism, theology, saint, catholic, convent, petition, dialogue, god, raymond, capua, dominican

Abstract
Catherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII and the youngest daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, was born in 1485. This paper examines her life and role in history, including her days as an educated princess in Spain, her marriage to Henry, and his subsequent divorce from her after she failed to provide him with an heir.

From the Paper
"In July of 1533, Henry ordered Catherine to Buckden in Huntingdonshire,
where she remained until her death. He also ordered that she should not be treated as a queen, but as a "dowger princess". Catherine loved Henry until the end, and refused to believe that the marriage was over. Just before she died, she wrote a letter to Henry, addressing him as ""My most dear lord, king and husband"...and signing the letter "I make this vow, that mine eyes desire you above all things"" (Mattingly, pg. 308). Catherine of Aragon was destined to marry a king and until her death she continued to believe she was still Henry's queen."

Tags:Duke, of, York, Anne, Boleyn