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Information for Quiz I and Ancrene Wisse: Part II, III, VII. Terms From Yesterday. The four cardinal virtues Psychomachia Allegory Anima, Animus (be able to list qualities) Mastered and unmastered flesh Vocabulary: astute, mnemonic, psychomachia, genre. Quiz I: On The Wooing….
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Terms From Yesterday • The four cardinal virtues • Psychomachia • Allegory • Anima, Animus (be able to list qualities) • Mastered and unmastered flesh • Vocabulary: astute, mnemonic, psychomachia, genre
Quiz I: On The Wooing… • Persuasive love letter written for anchoresses • Uses qualities of the ideal lover to describe Christ • Three enemies: world, flesh, devil • Literal use of bridal mysticism (bride of Christ) • Draws from the Song of Songs • Meditation on the Passion and purpose for it • On p. 256, the idea that her body will metaphorically hang “on cross” by her being in the anchorhold. • How does this work appeal to its audience?
Quiz I: Sawles Warde… • Part of the Katherine Group • A psychomachia, an allegory • Reason vs. Flesh (man vs. woman); anima, animus • Four cardinal virtues • Description of hell • Description of heaven • Fear and Love of Life as both being instructive • Advice to audience at end
Quiz I: Ancrene Wisse, Part II • Warns against trusting the five senses. • Compares the anchoress’ body to the anchorhold; it should be kept “closed.” • Know the argument for the eyes as the windows to the soul. • Advises silence; injunction against women preaching; beware of flattery (80). • Feeling needs to be guarded the most (89). • Parallel drawn between 5 wounds and the 5 senses (90) • Reference to digging one’s grave (bottom of 91). • The five senses as guards of the heart.
Ancrene Wisse: Background Info • Written for three biological sisters • Written to appeal to aristocratic women • Written in English West Midlands c. 1225-1250 • Is a guide for anchoress on how to conduct themselves (a spiritual conduct book) • Also meant to be a comfort to them and to protect them from danger
Ancrene Wisse: Part II (On Physical Senses) • Guarding the five senses; (the open body) • Most concerned about sight, speech and hearing; (gate of hell) • Senses were seen as openings available to temptation, especially in women • Three windows in the cell: onto church, onto the “world,” and connecting to the helpers. • Biblical examples lend authenticity to the writing; the Bible is the ultimate written authority. • There is a parallel between the anchorhold and her enclosed body. • She is to protect her reputation from scandal. • Warns against flattery and gossipers (backbiters). • Advises mature words, mature manners and actions • Parallel between the five wounds and the five senses.
Ancrene Wisse: Part VII (Love) • Love is the most important virtue. • A pure heart makes a person act for God and others, and to love God only. • Allegorical tale of Christ as a courtly lover (pp. 190-191). Here, Soul is a lady, Christ is a king. • Four kinds of love: philos, eros, maternal love, love of life. Agape, Christ’s love, transcends all of these.
On Love and Christ’s Wooing • Human love can be voluntary, mercenary (for sale), or servile (by force). This is from St. Bernard. • Chastity (chaste purity) is necessary, he says, in order to love Christ. Yet, a widow and wife can love God as well as a virgin can. Yet virginity is seen as a higher calling. • Christ continues to woo the Soul by arguing for his courtly gifts: castles, kingdoms, wealth, beauty, swiftness, strength, generosity (p. 194). • Kindle love in heart; pour “Greek fire” on any strife in your heart. Keep purity of heart. • Love binds God and is the rule of the heart.
Ancrene Wisse: Part III (Inner Feelings) • On Anger: Metaphor of the Pelican: so angry it kills its young; it grieves; restores young to life with its blood. • The angry anchoress destroys her good works and has to repent to restore them. • Ways to deal with anger (p. 94). • Asceticism, and the true or false anchoresses. • Judith as good anchoress.
A.W. Part III (continued) • Learning wisdom and knowledge: The eagle and the agate (a magical stone); p. 99. • Crucifix as similar to agate. • Taming the flesh (p. 99-100), yet protecting the body. • Spiritual anchoress as a lean bird who flies. • Be vigilant and do good (p. 102). Avoid desire for praise. • John the Baptist and the need for solitude (p. 107). • Parallel between anchorhold and the wilderness of the desert Fathers. God alone is enough (p. 108).
A.W. Part III (continued) • Reasons to love solitary life… • Security (the flesh as a fragile vessel that need solitude) • Gaining heaven (avoiding the “world”) • Proof of nobility and largesse (a lady wouldn’t carry baggage; the anchoress shouldn’t carry the “world” with her) • Generosity • To be brighter • To be a living prayer
A.W. Part III (continued) • The sparrow and humility • The need for bodily illness and temptations of the flesh; they make a person humble. • Part IV list temptations and ways to oppose them.