Hildegard Von Bingen Analysis

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Vision: From the Life of Hildegard von Bingen tells the life story of a 12th century nun blessed with visions from God. A gifted healer, composer, and writer, Hildegard von Bingen (Barbara Sukowa) worked to fulfill her visions and share her findings with the world. She also labored to improve the lives of the women under her care. Even with her faith and many talents, Hildegard is shown to possess the same flaws as all humans. Despite these faults, Hildegard worked to bridge the gaps between faith and science, men and women, love and sacrifice, and music and silence.
Sets and costume designs offer a comparison of the reserved church against the aesthetic. Many of the scenes at Disibodenberg cloister are shot in dark rooms lit only by candlelight, surrounded by illness and death. In contrast, the scenes of the nuns gardening and later at Rupertsberg are surrounded by green landscapes. Costumes
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Despite Abbot Kuno’s higher position, Hildegard frequently and openly disagrees with him. When she is appointed magistra of the cloister, Hildegard insists that she be chosen by a vote of the sisters. Later, Hildegard works to separate the nuns from Disibodenberg and move to Rupertsberg. However, Hildegard is never shown to dislike or shun men. One of her closest friends and advisors is Brother Volmar. Even after the nuns leave the cloister, Volmar follows to Rupertsberg and continues to assist Hildegard with her writing. Hildegard is also able to gain the respect of men in positions of power, including the Archbishop of Mainz and the Pope. At the time, it would have been unordinary for a woman to have the ear of such men. Even more unusual for the era, Hildegard is shown briefly describing sexual intercourse. Her description implies the act is nothing more than one of love in God’s eyes. This would be a forbidden topic for any woman of the time, let alone an

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