- Chapter 56 gives us an anecdote about Medea, a woman who was in love with a dude named Jason. And yes, this is the same Jason from the story of the Golden Fleece.
- According to Christine de Pizan, it was Medea who gave Jason the enchantments he needed to capture the Golden Fleece.
- There's also the story of Thisbe, who was so devoted to her lover Pyramus that she spoke to him for years through a crack in the wall. It's a pretty good way to get to know someone if you want to focus on their personality.
- Unfortunately, Pyramus killed himself because he thought Thisbe was dead. But when Thisbe found Pyramus dead, she killed herself out of sadness. Apparently, Christine de Pizan thinks that suicide is the ultimately mark of loyalty. Romeo and Juliet might agree, but most people probably wouldn't.
- The longest story we hear is the story of Ghismonda, who was the daughter of an Italian prince. One day, her father wrongfully suspected that she was having a sexual relationship with a young man and had the young man killed. It's true that Ghismonda was in love with the man; but she and he had never had sex.
- Her father ends up sending her a goblet with her lover's heart inside it. Ghismonda is so overcome with grief that she pours poison into the cup and drinks it with the heart still in the cup.
- How's that for romance?
- Just for good measure, Ghismonda's father dies of grief after his daughter is gone. But what did the guy think was going to happen, anyway? He cut out a dude's heart: it's justice.
- Chapter 60 just gives us more examples of famous women who followed their hearts and stayed true and chaste for the people they loved.