ipl-logo

Heloise In The Story Of My Misfortunes

1263 Words6 Pages

During the Middle Ages, women held the common positions of wife, mother, peasant, artisan, or nun. Besides taking on these traditional roles, Heloise was a brilliant “scholar of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and had a reputation for intelligence and insight” (New World Encyclopedia). She was raised in the nunnery of Argenteuil, where her mother lived. During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, male primogeniture was established, this allowed for the eldest son to inherit all the property instead of sharing it among the family. In this period, “many wealthy women chose to live in monasteries, where they could receive education” (New World Encyclopedia). After being raised in the nunnery of Argenteuil, Heloise moved to Paris with her uncle Fulbert. …show more content…

In The Story of My Misfortunes, Abelard wrote “A gift for letters is so rare in women, that added greatly to her charm and had won her renown throughout the realm” (Abelard, 1132). He was impressed by Heloise’s intellect and knowledge, because as he said, it was a rare for women during the Middle Ages to be educated in the way Heloise was. After learning about who she was, Abelard developed a plan to become her tutor and seduce her. As her tutor in her home it opened all sorts of possibilities for him and he wasn’t afraid to describe every intimate detail of his relationship in his book. Being in a relationship with Heloise, Abelard discusses that he was “neglecting his scholarly duties, writing poems to Heloise and forgetting about Aristotle” (Schulenburg, 2008). His whole life revolved on his love affair. He was a canon who belonged to the Chapter of Notre Dame, where he was expected to be celibate, so not only was he neglecting his studies but, his beliefs as well. In The Story of My Misfortunes, he discusses that they took greater risks when it came to their relationship. As a result, Heloise’s uncle not only found out about their relationship, but he found out Heloise was pregnant. Uncle Fulbert trusted Abelard in their home to tutor Heloise only to find them in bed together, he was

Show More
Related

  • Collector Of Silver Summary

    404 Words  | 2 Pages

    and I limp’”(67). The character of Marissa is an accurate example of why women would join convents in Medieval Europe. To join a convent or monastery, one must make a vow of chastity. When the pretty girls arrived and the young boys were attracted to them and tried to resist temptation, “The advent of the two young women made the younger monks restless and distracted, and it was best to get them out of sight” (74). Monasteries were under Latin rule and the rules made the nuns and monks take a vow of chastity, poverty and obedience

    Read More

  • Martyrdom Of Saints Perpetua Analysis

    285 Words  | 2 Pages

    The values and traditions that women were expected to hold changed extravagantly in the 700 years between the deaths of Lucretia and Perpetua. Through their respective documents, “Rape of Lucretia,” and “The Martyrdom of Saints Perpetua and Felicitas,” we can see the change of ideals in the form of expecting Roman women to do chores and stay at home, while the Roman/Christian women are expected to hold their faith and Christian values dear. Both of them are portrayed in different light, but in the end it is done to argue for a cause. Lucretia is portrayed as a humble individual who holds honor of the family higher than herself. Perpetua is demonstrated as a stubborn individual who won't turn her back on her faith, even for her family.

    Read More

  • Eleanor Of Aquitaine Research Paper

    1512 Words  | 7 Pages

    Throughout Eleanor of Aquitaine’s life, she proved that women too could have power and became one of the most influential and awe-inspiring women of her time. Eleanor was born in 1122 to William X, the Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitiers, “possessing one of the largest domains in France” (“Eleanor” 2017). Eleanor grew up to be very well educated by her father, she soon became experienced in “literature, philosophy, and languages” (“Eleanor” 2009). Her life came out to be an abundant amount of opportunities that led her to not become Queen of France and Queen of England, but also became an inspiration to women all around by not sticking to the status quo of her time. Eleanor of Aquitaine used her inherited land from King William X, marriages to Louis XII and Henry II and neglecting the

    Read More

  • Salem Witch Trials: Revelations Of Gender And Religious Norms

    1299 Words  | 6 Pages

    Contreras 1 Luis Contreras Yarisbel Rodriguez HIST 3401 19 September 2017 Revelations of gender and religious norms through the Salem witch trials There are certain events that when they occur they can reflect and show the kind of society we live in and sheds light on some of the norms we accept in our society. The events that occurred during the Salem witch trials revealed many norms about religion and gender. It demonstrated how religion and superstition was held in higher regards and standards than science and logic. It also showed how much influence people in the church had over the people.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Exemisia By Susan Vreeland

    1231 Words  | 5 Pages

    Throughout the 15th century through the 17th century the status of women is exemplified to be that of a subordinate position through the readings of “The Passion of Artemisia” by Susan Vreeland, McKay textbook chapter 13 reading and the DBQ “Did Women Have a Renaissance”. Traditional societal values and ideals, blinded many to the accomplishments and potential of females and continued to perpetuate a culture that valued and identified women with domestic work and motherhood. The institutionalized ignorance and ingrained bias of society helped to propel forward the systematic oppression of women whos minute sphere of influence equaled to less political power and property ownership. Subjected to violence, ridicule, discrimination and

    Read More

  • Three Inventories, Three Household Analysis

    86 Words  | 1 Pages

    In her article, “Three Inventories, Three Households”, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich argues that women’s work was crucial not simply for subsistence but that “women were essentials in the seventeenth century for the very same reasons they are essentials today-for the perpetuation of the race” (Ulrich 51). She believes, women were expected to do everything. They were not only to take care of the children, but they were also cook, clean, raise the greens and ranches. Mainly, women plays important role for the survival and continuation of life.

    Read More

  • Ap Euro Dbq Renaissance Movement

    721 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the Renaissance, many people began to support the idea that woman should be able to have the same rights as men. “I am amazed by the opinion of some men who claim that they do not want their daughters, wives, or kinswoman to be educated because their mores [morals] would be ruined as a result… Here you can clearly see that not all opinions of men are based on reason and that these men are wrong”(Document

    Read More

  • Hypocrisy Of Religion In Tartuffe

    804 Words  | 4 Pages

    While reading Tartuffe, I was constantly dumbfounded by the prevalence in the world today of Moliere’s, comedically portrayed, accusations regarding ignorance in arranged marriage, social class dynamics and religious hypocrisy. Moliere created the characters to the complete contrast to what society saw them as, which was intriguing and comedic. He also displayed the average practices, such as planned marriage, to be disgraceful and shameful. Lastly, but most prevalently, Moliere saturated the hypocrisy of religion by later in the story revealing the religious character’s deceitful and malign nature. In this essay, I will be using historic and literary theory to examine Moliere’s interesting views of such practices and the satire involved.

    Read More

  • Patriarchy In Early Modern Europe

    1400 Words  | 6 Pages

    As Simone de Beauvoir said that '' one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman''. As we can see, in this periods, male-dominated authorities rendered/defined women in a way how they want for their own interests. Briefly, women were defined/created by men rather than nature which in turn creates a critical question that is what was the women in Early Modern Europe? Wives, mother, daughter, sister; nun, heretic, saint, witch, bitch; queen, martyr, seeker and so forth.

    Read More

  • Arranged Marriages In The Italian Renaissance

    841 Words  | 4 Pages

    Zophy writes of women, “for the most part, did not have much of a “renaissance” ” (Zophy 3). In “The Family”, Alessandria, a woman attempts to connect her exiled soon with a prospective bride with the help of a man, only to fall short in her attempts. This reveals the power dynamics between men and women. Regardless of the gender, both men and women were married to each other with the parentings arranging the ordeal.

    Read More

  • Treatment Of Women In Medieval Times Essay

    2250 Words  | 9 Pages

    Women of the Medieval Times Women have always had a significant role in history even though they were treated horrible in most cases. During the Medieval Times was really the first time women were allowed to become more than just a house wife. The fight for equality has always been a struggle and even in today’s society is still an ongoing battle. Although women of lower and middle class were treated poorly in the Medieval Times, some powerful women held great responsibility and were looked up too by both men and children; despite being admired, “men were thought to be not only physically stronger but more emotionally stable, more intelligent, and morally less feeble” (Hopkins 5). “The position of women in the Medieval Society was greatly influenced by the views of the Roman Catholic Church” (Heeve).

    Read More

  • Abelard And Heloise Analysis

    787 Words  | 4 Pages

    Medieval society often put forth the idea that men were superior to women in intellect. Abelard writes, “the weaker sex needs the help of the stronger, so much so…that the man must always be over the woman…” (Abelard 39). This ideology of male superiority is clearly depicted in the wide difference between occupations made available to Abelard and Heloise. Although Abelard chose a life of a scholar and philosopher, he had the option to choose from a wide variety of occupations, ranging anywhere from a merchant to a priest. All of the professions available to men were those that put them in dominant positions over the women in society.

    Read More

  • Did Women Have A Renaissance Essay

    653 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the essay, "Did Women have a Renaissance?”, Joan Kelly-Gadol, presents a feminist insight into women's role in society during the Renaissance and how women did not have a Renaissance. While Margaret L. King, who wrote, “Women and High Power”, offers the roles of women and learning from 1300-1800 and argues that women did . The question of, “did women benefit from the Renaissance?”, is an extremely loaded question. Like every argument or question there are two sides to every story. One way, like Margaret L. King to look at this argument is that women experienced the Renaissance just like men did.

    Read More

  • Women's Role In The Middle Ages Essay

    1532 Words  | 7 Pages

    Introduction Women in the Middle ages were treated as the second class members within their social class. They were taught to be obedient to their husbands and were expected to run the household and raise children. Their role in the society, however, was much more complex, while some medieval women achieved a high level of equality with men. In the Middle Ages women had a secondary role, coming second after men.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Suffering In The Scarlet Letter

    1662 Words  | 7 Pages

    In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne explores recurring themes of suffering surrounding the main characters, Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. Hester and Dimmesdale both commit adultery with each other, and, as a result of this, both experience gruesome and occasionally unbearable forms of suffering. Though they undergo different forms of pain, both of their experiences are highly reliant on how the Puritan society treats them. Hester 's pain stems from the shame and estrangement she receives from the community, while Dimmesdale’s is due to the reverence with which the community regards him. Although, in spite of the fact that both Hester and Dimmesdale receive harsh penalty for their sin, by the end of the book, Hawthorne shows how their suffering is, in fact, the key to their salvation.

    Read More

More about Heloise In The Story Of My Misfortunes

Open Document