Love Letters

The love letters of Abelard and Heloise have instated this couple as the real life Romeo and Juliet. However, these letters convey much more than the passion one man had for a particular woman. The letters of Abelard and Heloise illustrate the power of the Christian church and how it influenced societal ideals in every regard, most especially those about sex and the role of a woman. The letters were written during the 12th century, during this period, religion and ethical views went hand in hand. The feudal society’s system of estates ensured that the clergy were revered, and their ideals were taken as true. This meant that the bible was taken literally, and used in everyday life. The tale of these two lovers reveal a deeper look into the controversial topics of sex within and outside of marriage, the idea of virginity, and the subordinate role of a woman in society.

The idea of sex during the Medieval age would have made any “good” person shiver with disdain. Religion played a major role in the way of thinking during this era. People had been taught to live piously, because this as well as obedience to the church would bring a sinful soul to the eternal afterlife. Therefore, it was also taught that sex was an immoral that was only acceptable in a marriage for the purpose of procreation, but even in marriage there were rules towards Sex. Although the church believed that God sanctified sex within marriage, there were certain limitations, such as on what days it could be done. In the letters, Abelard confesses his guilt on making love to his own wife, because they did so on dates that were unacceptable: “you know the depths of shame to which my unbridled lust had consigned our bodies, until no reverence for decency or for God dur...

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...sery for me – born as I was to be the cause of such a crime! Is it the general lot of women to bring total ruin on great men? Hence the warning about women in the proverbs?...she who had been created by the lord as a helpmate became the instrument of his total downfall.

Heloise embodies societal views of a woman’s role by embracing preconceived expectations.

The letters of Abelard and Heloise provide not only a heartbreaking story between two star crossed lovers, but provides a deep insight to how Christianity influenced societal views. The idea of sex was not one of acceptance, but one of condemnation and toleration, even within a marriage. Virginity was admired, but for the wrong reasons such as societal approval instead of God. Finally, the role of a woman was one that was not highly positive, she was seen as an inferior, whose role was to serve her husband.