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Hombres necios

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

Sor Juana's satirical poem mocking men's double standards toward women, printed in her 1714 collected works.

One of Sor Juana's best-known poems, showing her sharp wit and early critique of double standards against women.

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Printed page from a 1714 edition of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz's works, headed 'Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz' and 'REDONDILLAS', with the poem 'Hombres necios' printed in two columns of Spanish verse in old-style typeface, page number 85 at top right.
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, "Hombres necios," in Obras, Madrid, 1714.

About this source

What it is

This is a page from a 1714 printed edition of the collected works of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, showing her poem known as "Hombres necios" ("Foolish Men"), written in short rhymed stanzas called redondillas.

Why it matters

In this poem Sor Juana accuses men of condemning in women the very behavior they themselves cause or demand. It is one of her most famous works and is widely taught today as an early and sharp critique of the unfair standards placed on women in colonial society.

Look closer

  • What examples does Sor Juana give of men wanting contradictory things from women?
  • Why might a poem like this have been risky for a nun to write in the 17th century?
  • How does the rhythm and repetition of the verses help make her argument memorable?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Juana Inés de la Cruz on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Open book showing the title page of 'Fama, y obras posthumas del Fenix de Mexico' by Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, published in Madrid in 1714. A library stamp and a number 157448 appear on the left page.Letter

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Respuesta a Sor Filotea de la Cruz

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz · 1691

Title page of 'Poemas de la única poetisa americana, musa décima, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz', Madrid 1714, first volume. Printed in black letter with large capitals, listing the author as a religious professed in San Jerónimo, Mexico City, and the dedication to Saint Joseph and Saint Teresa.Book

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Primero sueño

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz · 1692

Title page of a 1695 printed broadside in Spanish, with an ornate border. Heading reads 'Protesta de la fe, y renovación de los votos religiosos, que hizo, y dejó escrita con su sangre la M. Juana Inés de la Cruz, Monja Profesa en S. Gerónimo de Mexico.' Below: an indulgence notice, a central 'JHS' monogram, and the imprint 'En Mexico, por Doña Maria de Benavides Viuda de Juan de Ribera. Año de 1695.'Document

Primary source

Protesta de la fe y renovación de los votos religiosos

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz · 1695

Title page of Inundación Castalida, 1689, by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Text in old Spanish typeface names her as the unique poetess, religious of San Jerónimo in Mexico City, and gives the dedication to the Condesa de Paredes, Marquesa de la Laguna, and the publisher Juan García Infanzón in Madrid.Book

Primary source

Inundación castálida

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz · 1689

Oil portrait of a woman in a dark nun's habit with a white collar and white sleeves, holding a small red box. An oval inset at her chest shows the Virgin Mary reading and an angel. Text panel at upper left gives a Spanish inscription.Painting

Secondary source

Portrait of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

Fray Miguel de Herrera · 1732

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