The image on the cover of
The Letters of Abelard and Heloise is an image by an artist known as The Master of the Prayer Books c. 1500. It depicts Abelard and Heloise debating love and marriage, as described by Jean de Meun in the
Roman de la Rose. This translates to "The Story of the Rose" and was one of medieval literature's biggest best sellers; 250 manuscripts of the poem are known to have survived from medieval times (
British Library). Guillame de Lorris began writing this in the 1230s, right at the height of chivalry and courtly love in France. His aim was to expound the whole art of love. He died before its completion, but Jean de Meun finished his work about 40 years later. While Guillame de Lorris gave love a dreamlike quality, Jean de Meun gave a more rational and cynical stance on relationships.
In the image, Abelard is a cleric and a master in the schools, yet is dressed in fine clothes of a layman. Heloise is in nun attire, during the time when Abelard removed her to the convent of Argenteuil, but still continued to visit and have sexual relations with her (Clanchy). The two red lines above the miniature translates to "How Peter Abelard instructs Heloise," but the hand gestures suggest debate rather than instruction. The two black lines read "Peter Abelard confesses that Sister Heloise the abbess never wished to agree to be his wedded wife."
British Library Online Gallery. "Roman de la Rose." 2009. Web. <
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/remarkmanu/roman/>
Clanchy, Michael. The Letters of Abelard and Heloise. London: Penguin Books, 2003 (pg 1). Print.
The book being written by two different authors over the span of forty years does a number on the books credibility. As you mentioned before the two authors took two different approaches. It makes one wonder if the book would have differed much more had it been written by one author.
ReplyDeleteJean de Meun is frequently billed as a misogynistic author, so his tone does change. You might be interested in exploring Christine de Pisan, a great female writer and self-made and supported author. Jean de Meun and Christine engaged in a spirited debate with each other, as heated as Abelard and Bernard!
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