This post lists the pros and cons of being a nun and a courtesan during the Renaissance period. Being a nun would be very sheltering in that one would live in a convent with many rules to follow. Nuns had a certain dress code to abide by at all times, they were not allowed to leave the walls of the convent, and everything they did was to serve a purpose that furthered their relationship with God. The only education they received was for sacred purposes. However, they did receive some education. They were allowed to sing, even if they weren't allowed to be seen. They had the knowledge to notate music in manuscripts, which requires a lot of musical literacy. They did not have to worry about disease, childbirth, or any other illness or societal pressure that went along with living out in the real world.
Courtesans lived a very different life. They were educated in many different ways so that they were smart enough to very charming around the noblemen they entertained. They knew about many different current events of the time because of the company they kept, and also had access to many different social events these men's wives didn't have access to. They had musical training, and were often musicians and/or poets. There was a certain freedom to this lifestyle that came with some consequences. Courtesans were more susceptible to STDs and becoming pregnant, and childbirth was not the safest thing at that time. Also, becoming an old courtesan if no one wanted to marry you was not the most glamorous lifestyle. We can see that there are pros and cons to both sides, and making a decision to become one of the these women would not be a very easy decision.
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