Week 6: Abelard & Heloise

The Letters of Abelard and Heloise (this is a required book), 3-89 (Skim the introduction, and read the Historia Calamitatum and Letters II, III, IV, and V)

Reading Guide:

• • Who are Abelard and Heloise (class, background, personalities, etc.)? How do they meet?
  • What are Abelard’s ambitions? What is he like as a student? What is he like as a teacher? How do people react to Abelard?
  • What are family dynamics like? What is life in a monastery/convent like? What surprises you about this?
  • Why does Fulbert turn against Abelard even after he marries Heloise? 
  • How do Abelard and Heloise each feel about becoming a monk/nun? Are they both happy with their choices?
  • Who are Abelard's enemies in the Church, and why are they upset about his teaching/theology?
  • What values does Abelard hold? How do his values compare to those of the knights we saw in the Song of Roland?
  • What is life like for Heloise? What can Heloise’s experiences tell us about the lives of women in 12th century France?  

Writing Assignment

Heloise writes, “I am judged religious at a time when there is little in religion which is not hypocrisy--when whoever does not offend the opinions of men receives the highest praise.” 

She could be passing judgment on almost anyone with a statement like that, and indeed there many episodes of what one could call religious hypocrisy in Abelard & Heloise’s letters—from the authors themselves, but also from people they write about. Indeed, one of the most captivating aspects of these letters is how imperfect and human (and therefore how genuine) everyone in them seems. Describe one of these instances of hypocrisy, and elaborate on what it tells us about twelfth century French society. 250-500 words. 

Note: There is no reading for section next week (week 7). Instead you will be creating your own Horrible History to share in section.