In the following essay the concept of femininity in Old English female saint’s lives will be examined and analysed. Due to the brevity of this essay, only two saint’s lives will be investigated, the Life of Mary of Egypt and Pelagia of Antioch. Both of them are often referred to as ‘harlot saints’ because of their not only promiscuous but also highly sinful lives before becoming their pious selves. (cf. Cox Miller) It is therefore very interesting that both do not only avert themselves from their previous lives, but even find religious patrons who become ardent worshippers of these women.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Mary of Egypt and the Monk Zosimas
- Pelagia of Antioch and the Transformation
- Masculine Norms and the Contradiction of Holiness
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay examines the representation of femininity in Old English female saint's lives, focusing on the lives of Mary of Egypt and Pelagia of Antioch. The analysis explores the paradoxical portrayal of these "harlot saints," who, despite their pasts, achieved sainthood. The essay investigates the reasons for choosing such figures and examines how their femininity is portrayed before and after their religious transformations.
- The paradoxical portrayal of "harlot saints" in Old English literature.
- The reasons behind the selection of such figures for hagiographies.
- The representation of femininity and its transformation in the saints' lives.
- The adoption of masculine norms in the portrayal of female holiness.
- The inherent contradictions in the concept of a "holy woman" within the context of Old English society.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage for the essay, outlining its central focus on the concept of femininity in Old English female saint's lives, specifically examining the lives of Mary of Egypt and Pelagia of Antioch. It highlights the paradoxical nature of these "harlot saints" and introduces the two main aspects of the analysis: the reasons for choosing such figures and the representation of their femininity before and after their religious transformations. The introduction lays the groundwork for exploring the complexities of gender and religious representation in Old English hagiography. It establishes the essay's central question: how are these women, known for their extreme sinfulness, represented in texts that ultimately celebrate their holiness? The brief scope and limitations are clearly defined, focusing the analysis on just two pivotal examples within a larger historical and religious context.
Mary of Egypt and the Monk Zosimas: This section delves into the life of Mary of Egypt, focusing on her extreme promiscuity before her conversion and her subsequent ascetic life in the desert. It examines the encounter between Mary and the monk Zosimas, highlighting the surprising reverence Zosimas shows towards Mary, despite her past. The analysis explores the symbolic function of Mary's life as a reminder of humanity's sinful nature and her role as a "mediator of human salvation." This section also analyzes the way Mary's physical description changes after her conversion, losing her feminine features and taking on more masculine traits, like wisdom and spiritual authority. This shift underscores the essay's central argument about the representation of femininity being supplanted by masculine norms in the context of holiness. The chapter highlights the unexpected transformation of a notorious sinner into a revered saint, prompting a deeper examination of the religious and societal expectations placed on women during this period.
Pelagia of Antioch and the Transformation: This section focuses on the life of Pelagia of Antioch, tracing her journey from a beautiful courtesan to a monk named Pelagius. The analysis explores the symbolic meaning of Pelagia's cloak ("byrne"), suggesting it may represent a protective element or, more importantly, a symbol of masculinity. The section further examines Nonnus's portrayal of Pelagia, noting his use of the term "eunuch," which suggests a complete stripping away of her sexuality and femininity. This reinforces the theme of the adoption of masculine norms to achieve sainthood. The transformation of Pelagia provides a powerful contrast to Mary's journey, offering further evidence of the essay's central argument. The section analyzes the intensity of Pelagia's transformation, using textual evidence to support the narrative. Pelagia’s journey highlights the extent to which women had to forsake their femininity to achieve a state of perceived holiness according to the standards of the time.
Masculine Norms and the Contradiction of Holiness: This section synthesizes the analyses of Mary and Pelagia, examining the recurring theme of the adoption of masculine norms in the representation of holy women. It highlights the contradiction between the concept of a "holy woman" and the reality of how these women achieve sainthood. The essay concludes that the contradiction is not resolved but rather emphasized, as both Mary and Pelagia's identities are simultaneously affirmed and negated by the prevailing gendered contradictions of their time. This section is crucial for summarizing the essay's overall findings and reiterating the importance of understanding the complex interplay between gender and religious representation in Old English hagiography.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Old English female saints' lives, femininity, "harlot saints," Mary of Egypt, Pelagia of Antioch, asceticism, masculinity, gender, religious representation, hagiography, symbolic function, holiness, sin, contradiction.
Frequently Asked Questions: Old English Female Saints' Lives: Mary of Egypt and Pelagia of Antioch
What is the main focus of this essay?
The essay examines the representation of femininity in Old English female saints' lives, specifically focusing on the lives of Mary of Egypt and Pelagia of Antioch. It analyzes the paradoxical portrayal of these "harlot saints" who achieved sainthood despite their pasts.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the paradoxical portrayal of "harlot saints," the reasons for choosing such figures for hagiographies, the representation of femininity and its transformation, the adoption of masculine norms in portraying female holiness, and the inherent contradictions in the concept of a "holy woman" within Old English society.
Which saints are specifically analyzed in the essay?
The essay focuses on the lives of Mary of Egypt and Pelagia of Antioch, comparing and contrasting their journeys to sainthood.
What is the significance of Mary of Egypt's life in the essay?
Mary of Egypt's life illustrates the transformation from extreme promiscuity to an ascetic life in the desert. The essay analyzes the symbolic function of her life, her encounter with the monk Zosimas, and the shift in her physical and spiritual portrayal after conversion.
What is the significance of Pelagia of Antioch's life in the essay?
Pelagia of Antioch's transformation from a beautiful courtesan to a monk named Pelagius is analyzed, focusing on the symbolic meaning of her cloak and the use of the term "eunuch" in her portrayal. Her journey offers a contrasting perspective to Mary's, further emphasizing the adoption of masculine norms for achieving sainthood.
How does the essay address the concept of "masculine norms" in the context of female holiness?
The essay argues that both Mary and Pelagia's stories highlight the adoption of masculine norms to achieve sainthood. The women had to essentially renounce their femininity to meet the societal and religious expectations of holiness.
What is the central contradiction highlighted in the essay?
The central contradiction is the conflict between the concept of a "holy woman" and the reality of how these women achieve sainthood by adopting masculine traits. This contradiction is not resolved but emphasized, showcasing the complex interplay of gender and religious representation.
What are the key takeaways from the essay's conclusion?
The essay concludes that the identities of Mary and Pelagia are simultaneously affirmed and negated by the gendered contradictions of their time. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex interplay between gender and religious representation in Old English hagiography.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The preview offers chapter summaries for the Introduction, Mary of Egypt and the Monk Zosimas, Pelagia of Antioch and the Transformation, and Masculine Norms and the Contradiction of Holiness. Each summary details the main arguments and analyses presented in the respective chapters.
What are the keywords associated with the essay?
Keywords include Old English female saints' lives, femininity, "harlot saints," Mary of Egypt, Pelagia of Antioch, asceticism, masculinity, gender, religious representation, hagiography, symbolic function, holiness, sin, and contradiction.
- Quote paper
- M.A. Sarah Ruhnau (Author), 2012, The Concept of Femininity in Old English Saints' Lives, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/262764
