Abelard and Heloise Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Abelard and Heloise - Essay ExampleHow eer, they were still great deal true to their age and perhaps what might be considered liberal may have had a deeper meaning. both of these scholars were known, from time to time, to deviate from what the norm was concerning sex activity roles in their societies. Their books display a characteristic that was particularly common among the writers of that age they were liberal to a certain extent and their opinions were openly stated. However, when it came to doing something about changing their societies so that they would conform to their liberal popular opinions, they took no action. It can, therefore, be said that although Abelard and Heloise, in their writings, showed several instances of being liberal concerning gender roles, they remained remarkably conservative in their actions. Abelard continued to advocate for a male dominated society opus Heloise supported the role of a subservient woman, who had to submit to the will of man. The l ove affair between Abelard and Heloise in addition shows the gender issues, which were prevalent in their society. Both of them were profoundly influenced by the opinion of their society when it came to gender roles, and this is clearly shown in their writings. Some instances of their opinions on gender shall be considered and analyzed in this paper. In a mass of his letters, Abelard displays a respect for the competence of women, something that is truly surpri trespassg for a man of the middle ages. Most of his plant concerning women ar based on his religious opinion of them. In some of his work, he states that women are oftentimes closer to Christ due to the opinion that women are particularly closely tied to the earth than men. Abelard in general shows a strong admiration for women, and he states that their virtue is much more pleasing to perfection than that displayed by men. Alongside this admiration is also his belief that women are lesser to men that men are the better part of humanity while women are the lesser. He states that while women are more comfortably tied to the earth, men are strongly tied to the spiritual. Because of this, women tend to be more susceptible to sin than men arebecause they do not have the spiritual capacity to withstand temptation (Ruys 1). Therefore, his type to womens virtue being more pleasing to God may imply that they have to scourge their spiritual advantage over men in order to become virtuous. Abelards point of view concerning women is not as liberal as one might think, and instead, he shares the opinion concerning them that was prevalent during his time. He barely deviates from the views of his contemporaries, and, in fact, it can be said that he is a leading proponent of a male dominated societywhile women remain in the background. At first glance, Heloises writings are extremely liberal because they push the boundary of what was considered proper at that time. She displays a wide association in her work a ndher letters to Abelard she often challenges him and asks his opinions on various issues. However, despite the liberal views, she is still tremendously much influenced by the way of thinking that was common at her time. While addressing Abelard in her letters, she acts as a submissive woman and not as his equal (Zollinger 231). One would argue that it is because they had been married that she would address him with such submissiveness. However, this will be found not to be the case because, in their letters, extremely little is ever mentioned of their married life. It can be said that Heloise displays the medieval societys belief that women are inferior. She accepts the conclusions, which Abelard makes concerning diverse matters, and more often than not, she is seen seeking his approval or opinion on a large turn of events of subjects. Heloise is an intellectual, and this is something that