Redondillas: Hombres necios que acusáis

What it is

This is a poem written by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz in the form of redondillas, a Spanish verse form. It is preserved in the original Spanish text under her collected poetic works.

Why it matters

The poem directly criticizes men for blaming women for faults that men themselves cause, making it one of Sor Juana's most quoted works and central to her reputation as an early defender of women. It shows her willingness to use sharp, witty verse to challenge the double standards of her time.

Look closer

• What specific accusations does the poem make against men's behavior toward women?
• Why might this kind of argument have been striking or risky coming from a nun in colonial Mexico?
• What does the poem's wit and structure tell us about Sor Juana's skill as a writer?