Peter Abelard (1079–1142)
Author of The Letters of Abelard and Heloise
About the Author
Peter Abelard is considered to be the founder of the University of Paris. He studied under the nominalist Roscelin de Compiegne and the realist William of Champeaux. Disagreement with William led Abelard to withdraw to the provinces and set up his own school at Melun, in northern France, in 1104. show more He returned to Paris in 1116 to teach. A disastrous love affair with the brilliant and sensitive Heloise followed in 1118. Abelard had been hired as her tutor, and, after the birth of their son, they were secretly married. They later separated, and Abelard became a monk and Heloise a nun. Their correspondence during their years of separation is a literary classic. After the separation Abelard withdrew to Brittany and wrote The Theologia Summi Boni, which was condemned at Soissons in 1121. When he returned once more to Paris in 1136 to teach, his theology was condemned at Sens, chiefly because of the influence of Bernard of Clairvaux. Peter the Venerable of Cluny mediated the dispute between the two while Abelard was on his deathbed. Abelard spent his last days peacefully and was buried near Heloise. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Works by Peter Abelard
Ethical Writings: 'Ethics' and 'Dialogue Between a Philosopher, a Jew and a Christian' (1995) 278 copies
Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans (Fathers of the Church Medieval Continuations) (2000) 22 copies
Letters of Abelard and Heloise : To which is prefix'd, a particular account of their lives, amours, and misfortunes,… (1729) 7 copies
Lettere 3 copies
Theologia Summi boni : tractatus de unitate et trinitate divina : lateinisch-deutsch (1997) 2 copies
Pisma teologiczne 1 copy
Sententie magistri 1 copy
Petri Abælardi, abbatis Ruyensis et Heloissæ, abatissæ Paracletensis epistolæ a prioris editionis erroribus… (2010) 1 copy
Lettres : Par Héloïse et Abélard, suivies de quelques textes contemporains. Textes choisis et… (1964) — Author — 1 copy
Dialectica: Tractatus II, De categoricis, pars II, De specierum differentiis categoricarum (in part) 1 copy
Rozprawy 1 copy
I Planctus — Author — 1 copy
Ho amato solo te 1 copy
Petri Abaelardi Opera Omnia 1 copy
Scritti di logica 1 copy
ELOISA E ABELARDO - LETTERE 1 copy
Abelardo 1 copy
Associated Works
Philosophy in the Middle Ages: The Christian, Islamic, and Jewish Traditions (1983) — Contributor — 438 copies
The Graphic Canon, Vol. 1: From the Epic of Gilgamesh to Shakespeare to Dangerous Liaisons (2012) — Contributor — 280 copies
Five Texts on the Mediaeval Problem of Universals: Porphyry, Boethius, Abelard, Duns Scotus, Ockham (1994) — Contributor — 134 copies
Hildegard Von Bingen Und Ihre Zeit — Contributor — 3 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Abélard, Pierre
Abelardus, Petrus - Birthdate
- 1079
- Date of death
- 1142-04-21
- Burial location
- Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, Paris, France (7e division, AD, 25)
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- France
- Birthplace
- Le Pallet, Brittany, France
- Place of death
- Priory of St. Marcel, near Chalon-sur-Saône, France
- Cause of death
- scurvy
- Places of residence
- Paris, France
Melun, France
Corbeil, France - Education
- Notre Dame de Paris
- Occupations
- logician
theologian
cleric - Relationships
- Héloïse (colleague collaborator and wife)
Hilarius (pupil) - Organizations
- Roman Catholic Church
Order of St. Benedict
Members
Reviews
Lists
Edad Media (1)
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 75
- Also by
- 8
- Members
- 3,480
- Popularity
- #7,310
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 29
- ISBNs
- 191
- Languages
- 16
- Favorited
- 4
In truth, the story of these people is more interesting than the letters. Heloise is the more fascinating, as she clearly still has feelings, yet has begun to question the wisdom of their relationship, and whether Abelard ever cared for her. Abelard, meanwhile, disguises his arrogance and lack of forethought in his writing, but it's there clearly. Things become interesting as a paranoia evolves around him, although his writing suggests that he is clearly either delusional or, more likely, attention-seeking.
Despite the fascinating story - which is chronicled in detail in the introduction - the letters are more about religion than love, which is understandable due to the time. What makes them a worthy read is just as often the insight into the lives of these people. If you're looking for powerful letters of two star-crossed lovers, you're in the wrong place. I'll admit I was a little disappointed by this. Yet, I'm still happy to have read the letters, if only because - despite the trappings and religion orientation of those involved - many of the feelings and thoughts echo down the centuries, so familiarly.
The translation is very strong, as is the depth of the notes and introduction. Wonderfully, the intro even investigates the possibility that the letters were faked. The most likely option is that they are real, but some academics have suspected that Abelard may have written all the letters - either to better create Heloise's real thoughts, or as a kind of Ancient Greek philosophy exercise.
The appendices include a series of much more powerful letters, from around the same time, written between two unknown lovers. The book suggests that they may be the "lost love letters", although there is no real reason to assume this, but these letters are actually a really affecting read.… (more)