Heloise and Abelard

Rating:
Summary: Gilson is a great historian.
Review: Gilson, one of the great historians, gives his opinions on one of the greatest and mysterious loves of all-time.

Rating:
Summary: Eloquent analysis of Abelard and Heloise.
Review: I enjoyed Gilson's analysis of the correspondence of Abelard and Heloise. The book is formatted as a series of lectures each with a theme, rather than a chronological explication of the story of Abelard and Heloise. Gilson writes eloquently and reading the book is more like listening to a popular professor rather than reading a dry document of historical criticism. I especially appreciated the discussion of little known documents such as Foulques letter to Abelard; Gilson convinced me that Abelard is not the whoremonger that Foulques makes him out to be. But like many professors, Gilson is guilty of bias and he sometimes commits the sin of putting his own spin into the story of Abelard and Heloise without any historical basis. Gilson's bias is in favor of Abelard; I couldn't believe that Gilson described Abelard's first letter to Abelard (where he comments on the power of prayer) as having "a correctness of tone that is truly perfect." Abelard's first letter struck me as a testament to his self-absorption, despair, and lack of understanding. Unlike a lot of young women who read the correspondence, I happen to like Abelard and I agree with Gilson that there is no point in berating him in order to exult Heloise. But I think Gilson is too lentient and too blind to the many faults of Abelard. He rarely criticizes Abelard for anything other than sexual jealousy.

Rating:
Summary: This is a real historical detective story
Review: The writer of Medievel mysteries Umberto Eco, after seeking his counsel, called Etienne Gilson an gIllustrious medievalist... dear and unforgettableh (quoted from the intro of the book gThe Name of the Roseh). Well, Etienne Gilson, in this book, gHeloise and Abelardh sets out to solve a real mystery set in medieval times; that of the intricacies of love, an unplanned pregenancy, and the resultant problems (Abelard ,was castrated (but two of his assailants were, under Christian justice at the time, given the same treatment, as well as having their eyes gouged out)). Gilson in the manner of detective and psychologist, as well as historian, attempts to deal out justice as well as look inside peoplefs hearts, and discover their true intents (which he admits in the end, God only knows). The true story of Heloisefs love for Abelard is one of the most endearing ever told and something that many medievalists tinker around with (including Heiko Oberman) Abelard was on superstar status, in his day, as a professor of theology and philosophy in age where students had much more leeway to choose their teachers and professors were paid by the number of students they had; Abelard was so popular he had to hold classes outside. Part history, part philosophy (or history of philosophy), and Gilson takes some liberties at psychologizing a bit. If you like Umberto Eco you might like this book as well, but read about them on the internet or in an encyclopedia before you start, if you know nothing about them, as Gilson gets right into the detectiving with little background details. There are all kinds of devious and/or devoted monks that Abelard must contend with, like the monks in Umberto Ecofs stories.

Favorite quotes, from the book:

gTheir appeal (Heloise and Abelardfs) is to a system of ethics which separates the order of acts from the order of intensions(65).h

gThey both played the comedy of sanctity(53).h

gWhat is a husband but a domesticated beast of burden(31, Gilson quoting Theophratus).

Some interesting words on marriage, death, love, loyalty, wisdom, sorrow, and providence are also expounded on. Gilson (despite Heiko Oberman in his book gDawn of the Reformationh placed Gilson, with the name of Arnold Toynbee, as an arbitrary period in history making sophist) clearly states, in the last chapter, that separating the medieval times with the Renaissance -- especially given what huge a word renaissance entails and the disparaging implications for the time previous -- points out the silliness of such a word as Abelard and, especially, Heloise have many gRenaissanceh charatoristics despite belonging to the Medieval age.

Some of the writing is superfluous, as Gilson repeats himself longwindedly. Also Gilson seems to be inconsistent in the final pronouncement upon whether Abelard submitted his soulfs salvation to Heloisefs prayers or the joy of sacrifice to God.

Rating:
Summary: This is a real historical detective story
Review: The writer of Medievel mysteries Umberto Eco, after seeking his counsel, called Etienne Gilson an gIllustrious medievalist... dear and unforgettableh (quoted from the intro of the book gThe Name of the Roseh). Well, Etienne Gilson, in this book, gHeloise and Abelardh sets out to solve a real mystery set in medieval times; that of the intricacies of love, an unplanned pregenancy, and the resultant problems (Abelard ,was castrated (but two of his assailants were, under Christian justice at the time, given the same treatment, as well as having their eyes gouged out)). Gilson in the manner of detective and psychologist, as well as historian, attempts to deal out justice as well as look inside peoplefs hearts, and discover their true intents (which he admits in the end, God only knows). The true story of Heloisefs love for Abelard is one of the most endearing ever told and something that many medievalists tinker around with (including Heiko Oberman) Abelard was on superstar status, in his day, as a professor of theology and philosophy in age where students had much more leeway to choose their teachers and professors were paid by the number of students they had; Abelard was so popular he had to hold classes outside. Part history, part philosophy (or history of philosophy), and Gilson takes some liberties at psychologizing a bit. If you like Umberto Eco you might like this book as well, but read about them on the internet or in an encyclopedia before you start, if you know nothing about them, as Gilson gets right into the detectiving with little background details. There are all kinds of devious and/or devoted monks that Abelard must contend with, like the monks in Umberto Ecofs stories.

Favorite quotes, from the book:

gTheir appeal (Heloise and Abelardfs) is to a system of ethics which separates the order of acts from the order of intensions(65).h

gThey both played the comedy of sanctity(53).h

gWhat is a husband but a domesticated beast of burden(31, Gilson quoting Theophratus).

Some interesting words on marriage, death, love, loyalty, wisdom, sorrow, and providence are also expounded on. Gilson (despite Heiko Oberman in his book gDawn of the Reformationh placed Gilson, with the name of Arnold Toynbee, as an arbitrary period in history making sophist) clearly states, in the last chapter, that separating the medieval times with the Renaissance -- especially given what huge a word renaissance entails and the disparaging implications for the time previous -- points out the silliness of such a word as Abelard and, especially, Heloise have many gRenaissanceh charatoristics despite belonging to the Medieval age.

Some of the writing is superfluous, as Gilson repeats himself longwindedly. Also Gilson seems to be inconsistent in the final pronouncement upon whether Abelard submitted his soulfs salvation to Heloisefs prayers or the joy of sacrifice to God.