Héloïse
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| + | ''[[Julie, or the New Heloise]]'' | ||
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| + | [[What an odd fight will it be to see maids and scholars, desks and cradles, books and distaffs, pens and spindles, one among another?]]."-- | ||
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| - | '''Heloïse''' ([[1101]]–[[1162]]) was the female student of [[Peter Abelard]] are among the best known records of early [[romantic love]], described in . | ||
| - | Though Heloïse (also spelled Héloïse, Hélose, Heloisa, and Helouisa, among other variations) is best known for her relationship with Peter Abélard, she was a brilliant scholar of [[Latin]], [[Greek language|Greek]] and [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], and had a reputation for intelligence and insight. Abélard writes that she was ''nominatissima'', "most renowned" for her gift in reading and writing. Not a great deal is known of her immediate family except that in her letters she implies she is of a lower social standing (probably the Garlande family who had money and several members in strong positions) than was Abélard, who was originally from the [[nobility]], though he had rejected knighthood to be a [[philosopher]]. | + | '''Héloïse d’Argenteuil''' (1101? – 16 May 1164) was a French [[nun]], writer, scholar, and [[abbess]], best known for her love affair with [[Peter Abelard|Peter Abélard]], which has become the best known example of early [[romantic love]], documented in ''[[Letters of Heloise and Abelard]]''. |
| + | == Background == | ||
| + | Héloïse (variously spelled Helöise, Héloyse, Hélose, Heloisa, Helouisa, Eloise, and Aloysia, among other variations) was a brilliant scholar of [[Latin]], [[Greek language|Greek]] and [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], and had a reputation for intelligence and insight. Abélard writes that she was ''nominatissima'', "most renowned" for her gift in reading and writing. Not a great deal is known of her immediate family except that in her letters she implies she is of a lower social standing (probably the Garlande family, who had money and several members in strong positions) than was Abélard, who was originally from the [[nobility]], though he had rejected knighthood to be a philosopher. | ||
| - | What is known is that she was the ward of an uncle, a [[canon (priest)|canon]] in [[Paris]] named Fulbert, and by the age of 18 she had become the student of Pierre Abélard, who was one of the most popular teachers and philosophers in Paris. | + | What is known is that she was the ward of an uncle, a [[canon (priest)|canon]] in Paris named Fulbert. By some point in her life, probably already as a teenager, she was renowned throughout Western Europe for her scholarship, and she became the student of Pierre Abélard (Peter Abelard), who was one of the most popular teachers and philosophers in Paris. |
| - | In his writings, Abélard tells the story of his seduction of Heloïse, and their subsequent illicit relationship, which they continued until Heloïse bore him a son, whom Heloïse named Astrolabius (Astrolabe). Afterwards, he placed Heloïse in a [[convent]] in [[Argenteuil]] and secretly married her according to the wishes of her uncle.. It was then that Fulbert divulged the secret of the marriage and ordered some of his acquaintances to castrate Abélard. Some have surmised that Fulbert was in fact her father, which accounts both for the unusual manner in which Heloïse was brought up due to a possible [[illegitimacy]], as well as the extreme measures he took to punish Abélard. After the castration, left with little else, Abélard became a monk. | + | == Tragic events == |
| + | In his writings, Abélard tells the story of his seduction of Héloïse and their subsequent illicit relationship, which they continued until Héloïse bore him a son, whom Héloïse named Astrolabius ([[Astrolabe]]). Abélard secretly married Héloïse, but both of them tried to conceal this fact in order not to damage Abélard's career. Fulbert's ensuing violence against Heloïse caused Abélard to place her in the [[convent]] of [[Argenteuil]]. | ||
| - | At the convent in Argenteuil, Heloïse took the [[habit]] eventually became [[prioress]]. She and the other nuns were turned out when the convent was taken over by the abbey at which Abélard had first taken his monastic vows. At this point Abélard arranged for them to enter the [[Oratory of the Paraclete]], an abbey he had established, where Heloïse became [[abbess]]. | + | The accepted view is that Fulbert believed Abélard abandoned Héloïse, and, in his anger, wreaked vengeance upon Abélard by having him attacked while asleep and [[Castration|castrated]]. An alternative view is that Fulbert divulged the secret of the marriage and her family sought vengeance, ordering the castration of Abélard. After castration, Abélard became a monk. |
| - | It was at about this time that a correspondence between the two former lovers sprang up. After Abélard left the Paraclete, fleeing from either real or imagined persecution, he wrote his [[Historia Calamitatum]], explaining his woes both in his youth as a philosopher only and now as a monk as well. Heloïse responded, both on the behalf of the Paraclete and herself. In the letters which followed, Heloïse expressed her dismay at the problems which Abélard had to face, but also reprimanded him for years of silence offered to her, to whom he was still technically wed. Thus began a correspondence of both passionate and erudite. Heloïse encouraged Abélard in his philosophical work, and he dedicated his profession of faith to her. | + | At the convent in [[Argenteuil]], Héloïse took the [[Religious habit|habit]] and eventually became [[prioress]]. She and the other nuns were turned out when the convent was taken over by the abbey at which Abélard had first taken his monastic vows. At this point Abélard arranged for them to enter the [[Oratory of the Paraclete]], an abbey he had established, where Héloïse became [[abbess]]. |
| - | The ''Problemata Heloissae'' (Heloise's Problems) is a collection of 42 theological questions directed from Heloise to Abelard at the time when she was abbess at the Paraclete, and his answers to them. | + | == Correspondence == |
| + | About this time, correspondence began between the two former lovers. After Abélard left the Paraclete, fleeing persecution, he wrote his [[Historia Calamitatum]], explaining his tribulations both in his youth as a philosopher only and subsequently as a monk. | ||
| - | Her place of burial is uncertain. The Oratory of the Paraclete claims she and Abélard are buried there and that what exists in Père-Lachaise is merely a monument. According to the [[Père Lachaise|Père-Lachaise Cemetery]], the remains of both lovers were transferred from the Oratory in the early [[19th century]] and were reburied in the famous crypt on their grounds. (''illustration, left'') There are still others who believe that while Abélard is buried in the crypt at Père-Lachaise, Heloïse's remains are elsewhere. | + | Héloïse responded, both on the behalf of the Paraclete and herself. In letters which followed, Héloïse expressed dismay at problems Abélard faced, but scolded him for years of silence following the attack upon him, since Abélard was still wed to Héloïse. |
| - | Their story inspired the poem "The Convent Threshold" by the Victorian English poet [[Christina Rossetti]], as well as the poem [["Eloisa to Abelard"]] by the English poet [[Alexander Pope]]. | + | Thus began a correspondence both passionate and erudite. Héloïse encouraged Abélard in his philosophical work and he dedicated his profession of faith to her. |
| - | [[Howard Brenton]]'s play ''[[In Extremis|In Extremis: The Story of Abelard and Heloise]]'' premiered at [[Shakespeare's Globe]] in [[as of 2006|2006]]. {{NamedRef|Globe|2}} | + | Ultimately, after telling Héloïse of instances where he had abused her and forced sex, Abélard insisted he had never truly loved her, but only [[lust]]ed after her, and their relationship was a sin against God. He then recommended her to turn her attention toward the only one who ever truly loved her, [[Jesus Christ]], and to consecrate herself fully from then on to her religious vocation. |
| + | |||
| + | Some scholars consider Abélard was attempting to spare her feelings (or his feelings, altered from disrupted hormones) and others point to the damage of his hormones and psyche, but from this point on, their correspondence focused on professional subjects rather than their romantic history. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Astrolabe, the son of Abelard and Héloïse, is mentioned only once in their surviving correspondence, when [[Peter the Venerable]] writes to Heloise: "I will gladly do my best to obtain a [[prebend]] in one of the great churches for your Astrolabe, who is also ours for your sake". | ||
| + | |||
| + | The ''Problemata Heloissae'' (Héloïse's Problems) is a collection of 42 theological questions directed from Héloïse to Abélard at the time when she was abbess at the Paraclete, and his answers to them. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Burial == | ||
| + | Héloïse's place of burial is uncertain. According to the [[Père Lachaise|Père-Lachaise Cemetery]], the remains of both lovers were transferred from the Oratory in the early 19th century and were reburied in the famous crypt on their grounds. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Oratory of the Paraclete claims Héloïse and Abélard are buried there and that what exists in Père-Lachaise is merely a monument. There are still others who believe that while Abélard is buried in the crypt at Père-Lachaise, Héloïse's remains are elsewhere. | ||
| ==Cultural references== | ==Cultural references== | ||
| - | In the novel [[The Romantic]] by [[Barbara Gowdy]] the two central characters take their names from Heloise and Abelard (Louise and Abelard in the novel). | + | ===In literature=== |
| + | *In the novel ''[[I Capture the Castle]]'' by [[Dodie Smith]], Cassandra Mortmain owns a [[bull terrier]] named Helöise and a cat named Abelard. | ||
| + | * [[Mark Twain]]'s book, ''[[The Innocents Abroad]]'', tells a satirical version of the story of Abélard and Héloïse. | ||
| + | *[[Jean-Jacques Rousseau]]'s novel, ''[[Julie, ou la nouvelle Héloïse]]'', refers to the history of Heloise and [[Pierre Abélard]]. | ||
| + | *[[Helen Waddell]]'s book, ''[[Peter Abelard]]'', depicts the romance between the two. | ||
| + | * The two central characters in the novel, ''[[The Romantic]]'' by [[Barbara Gowdy]] (Louise and Abélard), take their names from Héloïse and Abélard. | ||
| + | * ''Abaelards Liebe,'' a German language novel by [[Luise Rinser]], depicts the love story of Heloise and Abelard from the perspective of their son, Astrolabe. | ||
| + | *In the novel ''[[The Count of Monte Cristo]]'' by Alexander Dumas, whilst the Count is viewing the funeral of Valentine in The Cemetery of Pere-La-Chaise he notices young Morrel gliding amongst the yew-trees and "this shadow (Morrel's) passed rapidly behind the tomb of Abelard and Heliose." | ||
| + | *In two short stories, "[[The Lady Who Sailed The Soul]]" and "[[The Burning of the Brain]]", science-fiction author [[Cordwainer Smith]], refers to the lovers in passing. | ||
| + | *[[Marion Meade]]'s novel [[Stealing Heaven]] depicts the romance and adapted into a film. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===In music=== | ||
| + | *''[[Abelard and Heloise (album)|Abelard and Heloise]]'' is a 1970 soundtrack album by the British [[Third Ear Band]]. | ||
| + | *The lyrics of "Abelard and Heloise", featured on [[Seventh Angel]]'s album ''[[The Dust of Years]]'', are based on the couple's famous correspondence. | ||
| + | *[[Flanders and Swann]]'s song "Friendly Duet" on the 1963 album ''[[At the Drop of Another Hat]]'', refers to Abelard and Heloise. | ||
| + | *The song "Heloise" by [[Frank Black]], from the album ''[[Devil's Workshop]]'', refers to this story. | ||
| + | *The [[Cole Porter]] song "[[Just One of Those Things (song)|Just One of Those Things]]", alludes to this story. | ||
| + | *The song "Nora", by [[Richard Shindell]], features a verse about Heloise and Abelard. | ||
| + | *The two protagonists in Spanish singer-songwriter [[Joaquín Sabina]]'s song, "[[Pájaros de Portugal]]", are named Abelardo and Eloísa (Abelard and Heloise in Spanish). | ||
| + | *The song "The World Without", by [[A Fine Frenzy]], refers to Heloise and "Pete" (Peter Abelard). | ||
| + | *Choral song "Labour of Love" by [[Stephen Hatfield]] refers to "the ship that could sail Abelard to Eloise." | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===In poetry=== | ||
| + | * François Villon's "[[Ballade des Dames du Temps Jadis]]" ("Ballad of the Ladies of Times Past") mentions Héloïse and Abélard in the second stanza. | ||
| + | *Their story inspired the poem, "The Convent Threshold", by the Victorian English poet [[Christina Rossetti]]. | ||
| + | *Their story inspired the poem, "[[Eloisa to Abelard]]", by the English poet [[Alexander Pope]]. | ||
| + | *In [[Robert Lowell]]'s poetry collection [[Robert_Lowell#Poetry_collections|''History'' (1973)]], the poem "Eloise and Abelard" portrays the lovers after their separation. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Onstage and onscreen=== | ||
| + | *''Abelard & Heloise'' was a 1971 Broadway production at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, starring [[Diana Rigg]] and [[Keith Michell]]. It was directed by [[Robin Phillips]] and was first presented at The Ahmanson Theatre, The Music Center, Los Angeles, CA. | ||
| + | *In the film ''[[Being John Malkovich]]'', the character Craig Schwartz, a failed [[puppeteer]], stages a sidewalk puppet show depicting correspondence between Héloïse and Abélard. | ||
| + | *[[Howard Brenton]]'s play, ''[[In Extremis (play)|In Extremis: The Story of Abelard and Heloise]]'', premiered at [[Shakespeare's Globe]] in {{As of|2006|lc=on}}. | ||
| + | *In the ''Due South'' episode "Amen", the heroine and hero are Eloise and David Abelard. | ||
| + | *''[[Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind]]'' makes several references to the story of Abelard and Heloise in both script and plot. | ||
| + | *Multiple episodes of the [[HBO]] original series, ''[[The Sopranos]]'', refer to Abelard and Heloise. In 5.06 "[[Sentimental Education]]", [[Carmela Soprano]] leafs through [[List_of_characters_from_The_Sopranos_-_Friends_and_Family#Robert_Wegler|Robert Wegler's]] copy of ''[[The Letters of Abelard and Heloise]]'', and in 6.11 "[[Cold Stones]]", she reads about Abelard and Heloise in her Paris guidebook. | ||
| + | *In the movie ''[[The Lovely Bones (film)|The Lovely Bones]]'' Susie Salmon references the story of Abelard and Heloise, calling it the most tragic love story of all time. | ||
| + | *The film, ''[[Stealing Heaven]]'' (1988), chronicles their story and stars [[Derek de Lint]], [[Kim Thomson]], and [[Denholm Elliott]]. | ||
| + | *Director and writer [[Norman Szabo]] created an animated feature called ''[[William Shakespeare's Abelard + Heloise]]'', which he claims is based upon an uncompleted Shakespearean manuscript, ''Abelard and Elois, a Tragedie''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Other=== | ||
| + | * [[Ehrenfeucht–Fraïssé game]] | ||
| - | François Villon's [[Ballade des Dames du Temps Jadis]] ("Ballad of the Ladies of Times Past") mentions Heloise and Abelard in the second stanza. | + | ==See also== |
| + | *''[[Stealing Heaven]]'' | ||
| - | In the film [[Being John Malkovich]], the character Craig Schwartz, a failed puppeteer, stages a sidewalk puppet show depicting correspondence between Heloise and Abelard. | ||
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Héloïse d’Argenteuil (1101? – 16 May 1164) was a French nun, writer, scholar, and abbess, best known for her love affair with Peter Abélard, which has become the best known example of early romantic love, documented in Letters of Heloise and Abelard.
Contents |
[edit]
Background
Héloïse (variously spelled Helöise, Héloyse, Hélose, Heloisa, Helouisa, Eloise, and Aloysia, among other variations) was a brilliant scholar of Latin, Greek and Hebrew, and had a reputation for intelligence and insight. Abélard writes that she was nominatissima, "most renowned" for her gift in reading and writing. Not a great deal is known of her immediate family except that in her letters she implies she is of a lower social standing (probably the Garlande family, who had money and several members in strong positions) than was Abélard, who was originally from the nobility, though he had rejected knighthood to be a philosopher.
What is known is that she was the ward of an uncle, a canon in Paris named Fulbert. By some point in her life, probably already as a teenager, she was renowned throughout Western Europe for her scholarship, and she became the student of Pierre Abélard (Peter Abelard), who was one of the most popular teachers and philosophers in Paris.
[edit]
Tragic events
In his writings, Abélard tells the story of his seduction of Héloïse and their subsequent illicit relationship, which they continued until Héloïse bore him a son, whom Héloïse named Astrolabius (Astrolabe). Abélard secretly married Héloïse, but both of them tried to conceal this fact in order not to damage Abélard's career. Fulbert's ensuing violence against Heloïse caused Abélard to place her in the convent of Argenteuil.
The accepted view is that Fulbert believed Abélard abandoned Héloïse, and, in his anger, wreaked vengeance upon Abélard by having him attacked while asleep and castrated. An alternative view is that Fulbert divulged the secret of the marriage and her family sought vengeance, ordering the castration of Abélard. After castration, Abélard became a monk.
At the convent in Argenteuil, Héloïse took the habit and eventually became prioress. She and the other nuns were turned out when the convent was taken over by the abbey at which Abélard had first taken his monastic vows. At this point Abélard arranged for them to enter the Oratory of the Paraclete, an abbey he had established, where Héloïse became abbess.
[edit]
Correspondence
About this time, correspondence began between the two former lovers. After Abélard left the Paraclete, fleeing persecution, he wrote his Historia Calamitatum, explaining his tribulations both in his youth as a philosopher only and subsequently as a monk.
Héloïse responded, both on the behalf of the Paraclete and herself. In letters which followed, Héloïse expressed dismay at problems Abélard faced, but scolded him for years of silence following the attack upon him, since Abélard was still wed to Héloïse.
Thus began a correspondence both passionate and erudite. Héloïse encouraged Abélard in his philosophical work and he dedicated his profession of faith to her.
Ultimately, after telling Héloïse of instances where he had abused her and forced sex, Abélard insisted he had never truly loved her, but only lusted after her, and their relationship was a sin against God. He then recommended her to turn her attention toward the only one who ever truly loved her, Jesus Christ, and to consecrate herself fully from then on to her religious vocation.
Some scholars consider Abélard was attempting to spare her feelings (or his feelings, altered from disrupted hormones) and others point to the damage of his hormones and psyche, but from this point on, their correspondence focused on professional subjects rather than their romantic history.
Astrolabe, the son of Abelard and Héloïse, is mentioned only once in their surviving correspondence, when Peter the Venerable writes to Heloise: "I will gladly do my best to obtain a prebend in one of the great churches for your Astrolabe, who is also ours for your sake".
The Problemata Heloissae (Héloïse's Problems) is a collection of 42 theological questions directed from Héloïse to Abélard at the time when she was abbess at the Paraclete, and his answers to them.
[edit]
Burial
Héloïse's place of burial is uncertain. According to the Père-Lachaise Cemetery, the remains of both lovers were transferred from the Oratory in the early 19th century and were reburied in the famous crypt on their grounds.
The Oratory of the Paraclete claims Héloïse and Abélard are buried there and that what exists in Père-Lachaise is merely a monument. There are still others who believe that while Abélard is buried in the crypt at Père-Lachaise, Héloïse's remains are elsewhere.
[edit]
Cultural references
[edit]
In literature
- In the novel I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith, Cassandra Mortmain owns a bull terrier named Helöise and a cat named Abelard.
- Mark Twain's book, The Innocents Abroad, tells a satirical version of the story of Abélard and Héloïse.
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau's novel, Julie, ou la nouvelle Héloïse, refers to the history of Heloise and Pierre Abélard.
- Helen Waddell's book, Peter Abelard, depicts the romance between the two.
- The two central characters in the novel, The Romantic by Barbara Gowdy (Louise and Abélard), take their names from Héloïse and Abélard.
- Abaelards Liebe, a German language novel by Luise Rinser, depicts the love story of Heloise and Abelard from the perspective of their son, Astrolabe.
- In the novel The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas, whilst the Count is viewing the funeral of Valentine in The Cemetery of Pere-La-Chaise he notices young Morrel gliding amongst the yew-trees and "this shadow (Morrel's) passed rapidly behind the tomb of Abelard and Heliose."
- In two short stories, "The Lady Who Sailed The Soul" and "The Burning of the Brain", science-fiction author Cordwainer Smith, refers to the lovers in passing.
- Marion Meade's novel Stealing Heaven depicts the romance and adapted into a film.
[edit]
In music
- Abelard and Heloise is a 1970 soundtrack album by the British Third Ear Band.
- The lyrics of "Abelard and Heloise", featured on Seventh Angel's album The Dust of Years, are based on the couple's famous correspondence.
- Flanders and Swann's song "Friendly Duet" on the 1963 album At the Drop of Another Hat, refers to Abelard and Heloise.
- The song "Heloise" by Frank Black, from the album Devil's Workshop, refers to this story.
- The Cole Porter song "Just One of Those Things", alludes to this story.
- The song "Nora", by Richard Shindell, features a verse about Heloise and Abelard.
- The two protagonists in Spanish singer-songwriter Joaquín Sabina's song, "Pájaros de Portugal", are named Abelardo and Eloísa (Abelard and Heloise in Spanish).
- The song "The World Without", by A Fine Frenzy, refers to Heloise and "Pete" (Peter Abelard).
- Choral song "Labour of Love" by Stephen Hatfield refers to "the ship that could sail Abelard to Eloise."
[edit]
In poetry
- François Villon's "Ballade des Dames du Temps Jadis" ("Ballad of the Ladies of Times Past") mentions Héloïse and Abélard in the second stanza.
- Their story inspired the poem, "The Convent Threshold", by the Victorian English poet Christina Rossetti.
- Their story inspired the poem, "Eloisa to Abelard", by the English poet Alexander Pope.
- In Robert Lowell's poetry collection History (1973), the poem "Eloise and Abelard" portrays the lovers after their separation.
[edit]
Onstage and onscreen
- Abelard & Heloise was a 1971 Broadway production at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, starring Diana Rigg and Keith Michell. It was directed by Robin Phillips and was first presented at The Ahmanson Theatre, The Music Center, Los Angeles, CA.
- In the film Being John Malkovich, the character Craig Schwartz, a failed puppeteer, stages a sidewalk puppet show depicting correspondence between Héloïse and Abélard.
- Howard Brenton's play, In Extremis: The Story of Abelard and Heloise, premiered at Shakespeare's Globe in Template:As of.
- In the Due South episode "Amen", the heroine and hero are Eloise and David Abelard.
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind makes several references to the story of Abelard and Heloise in both script and plot.
- Multiple episodes of the HBO original series, The Sopranos, refer to Abelard and Heloise. In 5.06 "Sentimental Education", Carmela Soprano leafs through Robert Wegler's copy of The Letters of Abelard and Heloise, and in 6.11 "Cold Stones", she reads about Abelard and Heloise in her Paris guidebook.
- In the movie The Lovely Bones Susie Salmon references the story of Abelard and Heloise, calling it the most tragic love story of all time.
- The film, Stealing Heaven (1988), chronicles their story and stars Derek de Lint, Kim Thomson, and Denholm Elliott.
- Director and writer Norman Szabo created an animated feature called William Shakespeare's Abelard + Heloise, which he claims is based upon an uncompleted Shakespearean manuscript, Abelard and Elois, a Tragedie.
[edit]
Other
[edit]
See also
Unless indicated otherwise, the text in this article is either based on Wikipedia article "Héloïse" or another language Wikipedia page thereof used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License; or on research by Jahsonic and friends. See Art and Popular Culture's copyright notice.
