World history: major events and civilizations

Peter Abelard was one of the more important theologians involved in the process of eliminating contradictions in earlier theological works through logic. (chapter 15 workbook section 4 Western Culture in Postcolonial Era part B***** needs text citation) His relationship with a young woman Heloise formes the basis for this work.

Peter Abelard was an important and ambitious theologian. His work is still considered an important aspect of clarification of Christian Doctrine. He was ambitious and therefore had enemies, but he also had recognition and a significant student following that demands some attention and will enliven a film representation of his life, and more specifically his life with Heloise. His position as her tutor was significant and a romantic relationship evolved. His relationship with Heloise was the source of much controversy regarding his actions as a professor, a group of individuals who were barred from marriage and many aspects of corporeal life as a result of their commitment to theology and teaching. His desire to tutor, and have contact with Heloise, a noted exceptionally intelligent young woman (Gilson 1960, 26) who was barred from traditional study, due to her gender, led him to engage in an elicit affair with her that ended in a pregnancy, a secretive marriage, his own violent castration and a near permanent separation between himself and Heloise.

In 1988 a film emerged about his life with Heloise, entitled Stealing Heaven the film was written and produced very much in the feminist tradition, from the point-of-view of Heloise, and her struggles with her, relationship with Abelard, bearing his child, secret marriage and his subsequent decision to return to the confines of theological life, even to an extreme degree.

This film, will not be a reproduction of Stealing Heaven, instead the thematic interpretation of this work will be the life of Abelard, and his perspective on the relationship he had with Heloise and the resulting events. The climactic event in the life of Abelard was his forced castration, conducted by Heloise's vengeful and (unscrupulous) uncle. Abelard's own writings are the most abundant sources of information about the events,

At the moment when the drama, whose ideology we are undertaking to analyze, takes place, Abelard had already a long and tumultuous history behind him. His trials, however, had as yet only been those of an ambitious young genius, busy carving out for himself the place to which he had a right, and thrusting himself naturally against the obstacles which his elders put in his way. Henceforth, he could enjoy his triumph in peace. All his rivals had been vanquished, eliminated, and for several years now he had been the undisputed possessor of the title of Master in the Schools of Paris which destiny had long since assigned him. There he was teaching theology and philosophy with equal success.

(Gilson 1960, 1)

The conflicts and associations of Abelard, and his own personal struggle with love and his professional calling, as well as the ideas of falling from grace, as a corporeal being will be the focus of the film, and will contain themes regarding the nature of human challenges, that are relevant in modern society, regarding choices people make about the challenge of choosing "right" and honorable actions.

The work will be based upon the seminal historical text on the subject, Gilson, etienne. 1960. Heloise and Abelard. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press as well as primary documentation, mainly written by Abelard, that is noted in the work.

Setting:

Abelard lived between 1079-1142 CE, (his teaching @ 1108-1118 period coincided with his relationship with Heloise, though it went on slightly longer) the setting of the majority of his life is in Paris, at this time. Costume-Dress and setting will be as historically accurate as possible, for all involved. There will be some minor scenes of Abelard's monastic institutions, as well as a few where Heloise lived with her uncle and the monastery she was secluded in after Abelard's castration. The boarding house where Abelard resided as well as the lecture halls where he taught will also be featured.

Cast:

The cast will include, Abelard, Helouise, Fulbert (Heloise's Uncle), 2 Authorities of the Church who governed Abelard's actions, 1 prominent student of Abelard as well as a group of at least 6 students who had opinions on his situation, minor characters, such as his landlady, possibly a rival teacher, Abelard's sister,