Instead, even the differentiations he makes are generalized and show a view of women as malleable and generally similar.
In Book III, in contrast, the individuality of women -- not as typified or generalized into certain classes, but as truly independent women -- is the opening and over-arching focus. This is not just seen in the lines quoted above, although these do serve as arguably the most important lines in setting this tone for the rest of the book. This is reflected to some degree in Ovid's discussion of beauty in Part II of Book III. He acknowledges that most women are not born beautiful, and even admits that this was not necessarily a bad thing when society was rude and ill-formed anyway. Now, however, he tells women that they should care for their appearance in the same way that men have improved in their own. He seems to be suggesting that women reflect the society they live in, and therefore the women of Rome should make themselves as beautiful as possible.
At first, this could sound like a simple extension of Ovid's earlier apparent misogyny. A careful reading, however, suggests something else. Listing the elements of wealth acquired and displayed by Rome, Ovid comments that he is glad to...
But because civilisation's [sic] here, and no crudity remains, / in our age, that survives from our ancient ancestors" (Ovid 43). It is not an external show of beauty that truly impresses Ovid about Rome or about women, but the refinement that such care in appearance shows. Thus, on advising women on the importance of beauty, he is really stressing the importance of a refined character, not just in women but in all citizens. This shows women of being worth not only the time and space devoted to this advice, but suggests that women also are just as representative of Rome as the male citizens. This view might not have been well appreciated in Ovid's own time, and surely the sentiment is enough to counterbalance some inopportune (by today's standards) choices of language that Ovid employed in making his point. Though still written in a slightly condescending way, this third book of the Art of Love shows far fewer misogynistic tendencies than the first two books, and even makes certain efforts in countermanding the possible effects of the first two books' satire.
Finally, Book III of the Art of Love contains enough disparaging comments about men to fully balance any issue of
sexism in the work as a whole -- Ovid clearly thinks of people as ridiculous, regardless of gender. He even explicitly states his inability to give truly meaningful advice to women, saying "Only playful passions will be learnt from me" (Ovid 40). Though his tone is irreverent and even condescending, Book III makes it clear the Art of Love is not nearly as misogynistic as it has often been interpreted.
