Let Her Voice Be Heard: Patriarchal Control, and Traditional Gender Roles in “Christina of Markyate” and “Hildegard of Bingen” written by Anonymous Authors
The Bible states, “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet” (Timothy 2:11-12). Such courageous acts including, voicing one’s opinion, sharing beliefs, and expressing knowledge are just a few examples of what women could not do during the medieval ages. Like any other female during the third and beginning of the twelfth century, Christina of Markyate, formally known as Theodora, and Hildegard of Bingen are considered inferior to the male sex. Women are expected to respect the wishes of their parents, oblige to marry and live a life according to stereotypical heterosexual norms. However, given the strict …show more content…
Attracting a man and looking “desirable” was far from Christina’s mind, for she wanted to remain devoted to Christ. In fact, it was as though she lacked the desire in being feminine at all. For instance, on her journey to the dark chamber that she would essentially hide in for years, Christina told herself to acknowledge the “manly courage” that thrived in her bones. For example, in “Christina of Markyate,” the text reads, “Put on manly courage and mount the horse like a man. At this she put aside her fears and, jumping on the horse as if she were a youth and setting spurs to his flanks” (Anonymous Authors 146). Christina not only goes against society’s rules on gender, but she essentially goes against the word of the Lord. For example, the Bible reads, “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God (Deuteronomy,
The Bible states, “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet” (Timothy 2:11-12). Such courageous acts including, voicing one’s opinion, sharing beliefs, and expressing knowledge are just a few examples of what women could not do during the medieval ages. Like any other female during the third and beginning of the twelfth century, Christina of Markyate, formally known as Theodora, and Hildegard of Bingen are considered inferior to the male sex. Women are expected to respect the wishes of their parents, oblige to marry and live a life according to stereotypical heterosexual norms. However, given the strict …show more content…
Attracting a man and looking “desirable” was far from Christina’s mind, for she wanted to remain devoted to Christ. In fact, it was as though she lacked the desire in being feminine at all. For instance, on her journey to the dark chamber that she would essentially hide in for years, Christina told herself to acknowledge the “manly courage” that thrived in her bones. For example, in “Christina of Markyate,” the text reads, “Put on manly courage and mount the horse like a man. At this she put aside her fears and, jumping on the horse as if she were a youth and setting spurs to his flanks” (Anonymous Authors 146). Christina not only goes against society’s rules on gender, but she essentially goes against the word of the Lord. For example, the Bible reads, “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God (Deuteronomy,