Abelard and Heloise
Jeff
HIST 101
11/11/13
Gender As Seen in Abelard and Heloise
The gender views of European medieval society were largely built upon the views of Aristotle and others alike that degraded the status of women into a lower form of life, characterizing them as secondary to men. Many successive Christian intellects such as St. Augustine also contributed to establishing the idea of misogyny in the medieval views toward the female sexuality, which helped to create the gender stereotype that severely separated the role of men and women. One possible explanation for which created gender inequality in the society may be attributed to medieval education that regarded the Bible and Aristotle as unquestionable authority, as well as the limited number of educational resources available during the time. Although the philosophies and behaviors of Abelard and Heloise may seem radical from the norms of medieval society, their point of views toward the role of males and females essentially conform to the social construct created by the traditional ideals of medieval men and women.
The common medieval Christian perspectives on gender roles must have also influenced Abelard and Heloise. Yet, one may argue that a few instances in the letters indicate that their gender views were considered unique compared to the norms of their contemporaries. Abelard indeed placed Heloise’s name in the very beginning of the greeting, which surprised Heloise, for it, was uncustomary for men in letter writing1. And, Heloise criticized the concept of marriage in that it merely creates unnecessary bondage between men and women2. However, despite their seemingly radical perspectives, their rational thoughts were ultimately confined in medieval thinking. Abelard, even after his castration, could not free himself from the typical masculine idea of medieval Europe that men are the sole purpose for the existence of women. Abelard in the third letter constantly asked Heloise to live a pious life, not
HIST 101
11/11/13
Gender As Seen in Abelard and Heloise
The gender views of European medieval society were largely built upon the views of Aristotle and others alike that degraded the status of women into a lower form of life, characterizing them as secondary to men. Many successive Christian intellects such as St. Augustine also contributed to establishing the idea of misogyny in the medieval views toward the female sexuality, which helped to create the gender stereotype that severely separated the role of men and women. One possible explanation for which created gender inequality in the society may be attributed to medieval education that regarded the Bible and Aristotle as unquestionable authority, as well as the limited number of educational resources available during the time. Although the philosophies and behaviors of Abelard and Heloise may seem radical from the norms of medieval society, their point of views toward the role of males and females essentially conform to the social construct created by the traditional ideals of medieval men and women.
The common medieval Christian perspectives on gender roles must have also influenced Abelard and Heloise. Yet, one may argue that a few instances in the letters indicate that their gender views were considered unique compared to the norms of their contemporaries. Abelard indeed placed Heloise’s name in the very beginning of the greeting, which surprised Heloise, for it, was uncustomary for men in letter writing1. And, Heloise criticized the concept of marriage in that it merely creates unnecessary bondage between men and women2. However, despite their seemingly radical perspectives, their rational thoughts were ultimately confined in medieval thinking. Abelard, even after his castration, could not free himself from the typical masculine idea of medieval Europe that men are the sole purpose for the existence of women. Abelard in the third letter constantly asked Heloise to live a pious life, not