Question
Essay 500 words about the “Three Medieval Women”
When we think of medieval women, I suspect most of us think of lives cut short by disease, the endless drudgery of daily work, and the dangers of frequent childbirth. For most women that, in fact, was the reality. However, for a few – the female offspring or relatives of wealthy and enlightened men who afforded them the opportunity for an education, or for women who found respect and authority within the church – life could be fulfilling. Three extraordinary and accomplished medieval women who were well-known in their own time and are still admired in ours were Heloise, a scholar and abbess, her contemporary, Hildegard of Bingen, a mystic, composer, author, preacher, painter, and abbess from whom both religious and secular authorities sought advice and who is now referred to as a saint and doctor of the Catholic Church, and the 15th century author, Christine de Pisan who “used her influence to uphold the dignity of women and to celebrate their history and achievements.”
Read the attached, then write an essay about 500 words discussing the following:
What does Heloise’s Letter to Abelard reveal about gender roles in 12th century Europe?
How does Heloise understand her own role in society?
What are the sources of Hildegard’s authority according to her letter?
How does she use her authority to challenge the decision of the bishop and clergy of Mainz?
What does Hildegard’s musical composition reveal about her and the historical period in which she lived?
How does the comparison of the letters of Heloise and Hildegard complicate our understanding of gender roles in the 12th century?
In the excerpt from The Book of the City of Ladies, how does Christine use history to make her case for women? What observations might a gender historian make after reading these excerpts?
use the primary resource (the attached ) get the information, don’t use secondery resources.
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