|
A W O R L D H I S T O R Y O F T H E B R E A K U P
VI. The Middle Ages
|
Voluntary celibacy gains dramatically in popularity.
|
|
Chivalry Not Dead
|
The structure of society itself continues to doom many romances. The
institutions of the day, when called into play during a breakup, also render
minimal the rate of "getting back together."
Abelard and Heloise:
Young Heloise (1101-1163) has what we can only assume was a sexually as
well as intellectually satisfying affair with her tutor, the Parisian scholar
Abelard. Once word gets out, though, Heloise's uncle has Abelard hunted
down and castrated. At Abelard's request, Heloise takes vows at the local
holy order. His suggestion is considered an early manifestation of the "If
I can't have you, no one can" syndrome.
NEXT:
VII. Renaissance & Reformation
I |
II |
III |
IV |
V |
VI |
VII |
VIII & IX |
X |
XI |
XII
|
e-mail to a friend in need
