The
Role of the Bible
This week’s readings look into the
word or medieval women and how the views and roles of women during medieval times
were shaped by the bible.
What are some of the difference
between the expectations of today’s women and the medieval women?
- What were the expectations of medieval women?
 |
| Mary |
From the Bible Genesis 1:24-2:9;
2:15-3:20, we see how Christianity viewed women and coming into existence after
men, women were created to be a partner for men. “She shall be called women because she was taken out of man.” (p.157)
From this and other bible readings we can see a picture forming where men are
seen as superior to women. “Christianity
Preached equality but regarded women as morally and physically weaker than men.”
(p.156) It is interesting to see how overtime these views have been outdate,
but to what extent? “Mary in Christian
Theology, was both a virgin and mother. Her sinlessness made her an
unattainable ideal but her humanity made her an attractive advocate for prayer.”
(p.187).
- How much really has changed about this being the ideal women?
Women of the High Middle Ages, c. 1100-1400
What we know of women during that period is largely from male writers.
As well, stories that we know of women tend to be about what men admired or
abhorred. Peter Lombard a theologian wrote of much affection of women; that
women were brought from the rib of man to be a companion and friend of man.
On the other hand, it is interesting to see that women were seen as both
the “bent rib of man”, an unequal due to gender. In the narrative of Adam and
Eve, Eve was seen as the downfall of man, a natural temptation that brings
about the sins to man. However, in some writings women were seen as valued
higher than man, a bearer of life.
Mary Magdalene interestingly was a repentant sinner. Her transformation
to a devoted Christian; made Mary of Magdalene somewhat more revered than the
pure and sinless Virgin Mary. Therefore in a religion where one was in sin from
the moment they were born; Mary of Magdalene was seen as “everywoman”, someone
whose actions were revered by medieval women, which aimed to influence and
inspire them from their sinful ways.
Status of women played an important part in medieval society. A woman
was revered on three accounts: a virgin; married woman; or one that was married
to God and thus the Church. Society gave women who did not get married the only
other alternative of joining the nunnery.
- To what extent did religious writing of Adam and Eve, the story of Mary of Magdalene or theologian writing influence Christianity’s control of medieval women in society?
Women’s
Voices
Women participated in history however
they did not write it. Early medieval women are only present in the backgrounds
of stories about gallant men. Women did not exist much else in medieval history
from what we know, until they were given a voice which was much later towards
the 13th -14th century. This voice however was minuscule
and relied only upon a few ‘well off’ women who had been granted (by their male
elders) the right to an education.
Geoffrey Chaucer, Canterbury tales, 14th
century:
“If
wommen hadde written stories
As
clerks han withinne hire oratories,
They
wolde han writen of men moore wikkednesse
Than
al the mark of Adam may redresse.”
- Do you think that if women were given more right to have their say then history would be written differently?
However, some women were given a voice
even if it were not their own. It appears that women who are written about were
more ‘bad’ than ‘good’ (addressing what was socially acceptable). No one was
intrigued by mundane women who played their lesser role in society. Joan of Arc,
leading the French army to numerous victories; Heloise, certain behaviours out
of wedlock; Eleanor of Aquitaine, joining the second crusade and annulling her
marriage. All these women stood outside the social norms in one way or another and
therefore have gained an infamous status in history.
 |
| Eleanor of Aquitaine; Joan of Arc; Heloise and Abelard |
6 comments:
I love all the little contradictions in the bible - humans were made in the image and likeness of God, therefore we all possess an innate human dignity and should see each other as equal, however women were created from men, so in fact they're not actually equal - women are subordinate to men….
I was thinking about the causes for the treatment of women, was it actually because of Christianity's influence, because males were hungry for power and control and saw domination over women as a means of this, or perhaps men saw women as a threat and therefore you had to keep them locked away in the house, reproducing and keeping occupied, or something else...
It seems hard to believe that women could have been viewed as solely precious because of their reproductive capabilities and therefore in need of protection and sanctuary in the home, especially when you consider the dowry, restrictions on women's freedoms and ownership rights…
I thought it was interesting that Mary, being the virgin mother of Jesus, redeemed the position women after Eve’s fateful decision to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
I enjoyed the Sermon of St Anselm also, the idea of God creating Himself within the womb of Mary to be born is quite intriguing: God is His own father and His own son.
I agree with what Gen has said about women being seen as inferior and subordinate to men, but then are precious delicate creatures... it depicts contrasting views of women's role in medieval society, which raises questions about whether men were afraid of women’s potential and therefore shut them out from the public sphere of society.... (just food for thought)
But, what interests me the most is the way in which all women were categorized into either a virgin, a wife or a woman married to god and also the fact that this status defined every aspect of their lives. For example the way, in which they were treated, seen by people in public and especially in medieval society, the religious and Christian implications.
But, I wonder if any ‘mundane women’ did break away from these classifications and if there would of been any consequences for doing so?
In response to Bobbie, Don't you think its interesting that Mary restored the women's position in regards to Eve destroying it, because she was a virgin?
I think this fact really demonstrates the important role that virtue played in medieval society among women.
In response to Gen's statement that it seems hard to believe that women could have been viewed as solely precious because of their reproductive abilities I found it interesting to note that the first reading outlined that motherhood was, in fact, the second most praised role of the woman after the virgin. That woman as the reproductive agent was a product of the expulsion from paradise raises important theological questions, however, the fact that their were far less nuns than male monks may suggest that the praise of virginity was one that existed only in high theological thought and the woman as mother more supported socially.
If you are interested in following up readings on medieval or renaissance women now or in the future, you may like to note Feminae, a useful site which can be searched for relevant publications. It's an initiative of the Society for Medieval Feminist Scholarship.
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