Observations On The Theologies Of Abelard And

Heloise Essay, Research Paper

Observations on the Theologies of Abelard and Heloise

Analysis of the first two letters between Heloise and Abelard demonstrates the variety of theological and practical viewpoints of thirteenth century France. Interesting points of contrast emerge on examination of their views of theological authority, Abelard.s .calamities., their entry into monasticism, and the own-ership of the Convent of the Paraclete.

Theological Authority

Comparison of these letters shows a marked difference in the theological use of authorities. Heloise.s letter appeals to di-verse authorities; Abelard.s letter uses only one.

Abelard places primary theological authority in the Bible (he quotes Biblical material thirty-six times in his letter). Arguably, the letter also uses the authority of the general tradi-tion of the Church (regarding the efficacy of prayer and the Divine Office) and Abelard.s personal authority.

Heloise only rarely cites the Bible (six times in her letter, generally as parallel phrasings rather than quotations) and quotes secular and pagan authors, Seneca (110) and Aeschines Socratius. (114)

The idea of the authority of the individual is apparent in Heloise.s letter. Heloise overtly gives her own desires and moti-vations authority, .Wholly guilty though I am, I am also, as you know, wholly innocent.. (115)

She also recognizes Abelard.s will as authoritative for her, .I have finally denied myself every pleasure in obedience to your will, kept nothing for myself except to prove that now, even more, I am yours.. (117) Their marriage was not her will, but his. She is just as happy to be his .mistress. or .whore.. Her motivation for her relationship with him has been from pure motives, and should be so judged, .God knows I never sought anything in you ex-cept yourself; I wanted simply you, nothing of yours.. (113) Her subjection to his will is her own free decision; the final arbiter then is her own will.

Heloise also raises a theology of obligation and debt. .How great the debt by which you have bound yourself to us needs nei-ther proof nor witness.. (111) .Remember, I implore you, what I have done, and think how much you owe me.. (117) His misfortune obligates him to comfort her, (113) not her to comfort him!

In the comparison of the two letters, then, we see a contrast between Abelard.s grounding of authority in the Bible with Heloise.s grounding of authority in the words of secular authors, the feudal concepts of debt and obligation, and the desire, mo-tives, and will of the individual.

Abelard.s Calamities

For Heloise, Abelard.s misfortunes have been caused by human be-ings; he has been .persecuted., .attacked., .mutilated., plotted against, slandered. (109) To Abelard, however, he has been under attack by Satan, .May divine mercy protect me through the support of your prayers and quickly crush Satan beneath our feet.. (119) Heloise.s letter contains no reference to Satan.

In this difference, again, the individualism of Heloise is ap-parent. Given her understanding of the authority of the individ-ual, Abelard.s enemies are personally acting against him, they are not mere tools of a supernatural being. Interestingly, neither Abelard nor Heloise seem able to entertain the idea that Abelard may have treated his enemies badly, or that such concepts as tact and judgment have a place in their lives.

Their Entry into Monasticism

To Abelard, their entry into monasticism was, .Our conversion from the world to God,. (119) that is, it was done for the love of God. In his eyes, Heloise has sanctity, .You whose sanctity must surely have the greatest influence in the eyes of God.. (123) Her sacrifice of prayer will protect him. .Here you have an example, sister, and an assurance how much your prayers for me may prevail on God.. (121)

Heloise, however, entered the convent for love of Abelard, not God, .I can expect no reward for this from God, for it is certain that I have done nothing as yet for love of him.. (117)

Again, their ultimate concern is quite different. Abelard is considering their lives in relation to God while Heloise is con-sidering their lives in relation to each other.

Whose Convent is it, anyway.

Abelard, troubled by his sins, asks to be buried at the Paraclete where, .There is no place, I think, so safe and salutary for a soul grieving for its sins and desolated by its transgres-sions than that which is specially consecrated to the true Paraclete.. (125) To Abelard, then, the convent is truly God.s.

To Heloise, however, the convent may belong ultimately to God but it is truly Abelard.s, .And so it is yours, truly your own, this new plantation for God.s purpose.. (111) .You devote your care to another.s vineyard; think what you owe to your own.. (112)

In this issue, also, Abelard is focused on God, while Heloise concentrates on individual this-world actions and responsibili-ties.

Synthesis

The comparison of the two letters reveals two strongly contrast-ing personalities and theologies. Abelard appears to stand in the tradition of Irenaus, Augustine, and Benedict, while Heloise emerges as a forerunner of Voltaire and Rousseau.

Abelard.s themes are centered on Biblical authority, Satan.s persecution, and a surrender to God; he focus

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