The Curse of Eve: 700 Years of Traditional Misogyny Represented in Roman de Silence
Format
Oral Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Andreea Boboc
Faculty Mentor Department
English
Abstract/Artist Statement
The concept that duplicity comes naturally to women has made an unfortunate resurgence in recent years. Heldris de Cornuälle’s Roman de Silence addresses this assertion as early as the 13th century: the romance uses the virtues and complex identity of its heroine to covertly challenge the traditional notion of womens’ natural deceitfulness. Between the debates of allegorical characters Nature and Nurture and the foil characters of a willful, lustful queen and a demure countess, the romance employs the adventures an escapist character to argue that while women are often not credited for it, they are capable of achieving the same level of excellence as the best of men. My paper will seek to explore the narrative in light of the misogynistic tradition most prevalent at the time, in order to highlight the revolutionary and empowering nature of the title character, as well as discuss how this tradition has evolved within our own culture.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Room 211
Start Date
27-4-2018 10:20 AM
End Date
27-4-2018 10:39 AM
The Curse of Eve: 700 Years of Traditional Misogyny Represented in Roman de Silence
DeRosa University Center, Room 211
The concept that duplicity comes naturally to women has made an unfortunate resurgence in recent years. Heldris de Cornuälle’s Roman de Silence addresses this assertion as early as the 13th century: the romance uses the virtues and complex identity of its heroine to covertly challenge the traditional notion of womens’ natural deceitfulness. Between the debates of allegorical characters Nature and Nurture and the foil characters of a willful, lustful queen and a demure countess, the romance employs the adventures an escapist character to argue that while women are often not credited for it, they are capable of achieving the same level of excellence as the best of men. My paper will seek to explore the narrative in light of the misogynistic tradition most prevalent at the time, in order to highlight the revolutionary and empowering nature of the title character, as well as discuss how this tradition has evolved within our own culture.