Word: abelards
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...contemporary allusion that might make it obscure or tedious in the future." Thus followed his use of the Biblical "thee" and "thou" and his cultivation of the flowing and repetitive simplicity of oral narrative. The care that Moore lavished on every sentence in "The Brook Kerith" and "Heloise and Abelard" will excite the wonder of the uninitiated. Mr. Morgan's analysis of the results of this superhuman care is indeed subtle and illuminating. Yet even after such an analysis it is hard to see a revolution in fiction in the rhythms, the repetitions, and the intricate patterns of vowel-sounds...
...even the wisest hagiologist knows. In the early days of Christendom, anchorites, eremites, monks and vagrants were of such piety that even the animals of the world collaborated with them. This half-forgot-ten aspect of the lore of sainthood was lately recalled by Helen Waddell, author of Peter Abelard. Delving in the Latin works of church fathers, monks and priests from the 4th to the 12th Century, she collected 44 anecdotes, translated them as Beasts & Saints.* Some saintly animal stories...
...scientists of the 12th Century were theologians. The Church was not only the narrow way of salvation but the only road to knowledge. When Peter Abelard sought fame as a scholar he inevitably became a tonsured celibate. Within the frame of orthodox Catholic theology (once thought sufficient to contain the universe) Abelard was not only a brilliant scholar but a bold thinker. Envious' and less able enemies had maneuvered him out of one hall of learning after another, but wherever he was he drew throngs of worshipful listeners. Authoress Waddell's narrative finds him at the peak...
Though it was shameful for Abelard to have a mistress, it would have been ruinous to his career to marry. But to make amends to Fulbert he married Heloise secretly, trusted Fulbert to keep it dark. The shock of Abelard's betrayal had unsettled Fulbert's mind: when he boasted of his niece's marriage and she boldly denied it, he swore a terrible revenge. One night as Abelard slept hired bravos seized and gelded him. Now there was no longer any place for the arrogant Abelard; he who might have been a prince of the Church...
...Peter Abelard is the October choice of the Literary Guild...