Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A detailed interdisciplinary analysis of a selected topic, issue, or personality in the Middle Ages. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Abelard, Heloise, and the Twelfth-Century Problem of Being Human

All of us live with the freedoms and constraints of our time, our society, our families, and our gender. Abelard and Heloise, famous and troubled lovers, struggled within the rule-bound society of the early twelfth century. Abelard seemed at odds with his world and Heloise railed against monastic rules that didn’t work for women. They were not alone. Hugh of Lusignan complained of his unfair treatment as a vassal. William of Conches was sick of back-biting bishops and lazy students. Guibert of Nogent had trouble fitting in at home or with his fellow monks; his mother abandoned him and he fled a monastery that had had enough of him. Townsmen and women rioted against domineering nobles and oppressive bishops, and peasants resented their local lords. TThe problems of fitting in, getting along, and simply being human ran through the exciting and pioneering twelfth century. Together we shall examine the issues of identity, person, position, and community in crisis and complaint through the lives, experiences, and reflections of various twelfth-century men and women, but especially through the controversial lives of Heloise and Abelard.

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