What do you think you will most remember from this Unit.?
One of the major things that will be remembered in this unit it the religious background of the book of Song of Songs. For a very long time, this is a book that has left many confused. I will be keen enough to identify keywords used in the description of this book. It will also be useful to familiarize myself with contemporary courtly of love literature presented by Harwich. This lesson will make it necessary to read the Song of Songs to understand Richard and Bernard. I want to get a deeper knowledge of love traditions that will bring a clear understanding of Hadewijch. One of the major things I would want to look for is how the love tradition Hadewijch presents affects our own understanding and mystical expression in modern society. One of the key questions that we will answer is whether her love ideology is different from our modern understating of love. I would also want to know how the poems are composed by Hadewijch compare to Bernard’s sermons.
Since I am not familiar with the entire chapter, I would want to get a keen understanding of the connection that exists between beguines such as hadewijch and the courtly culture. In the original front, culture emerged within the context of the courts of notable Europe. While some of the beguines may have come from lesser notability, the majority would have come from the growing urban classes (Hadewijch). Reading different discussions in the unit will give me clear insight and a basis that will sharpen my arguments.
What is your impression about the biblical book: The song of songs?
The book of Song of Songs is a biblical book meant for us to understand the love between human to human and human to God. It has a certain element that requires understanding that we need to love each other, just like God himself loves us. In most of the chapters, the book’s author shows us how a man appreciates and loves his woman. This some love is a symbol of God’s constant love for humanity.
What is Bernard Clairvaux talking about when he writes, “Let him kiss with the kiss of his mouth? Does this seem like a religious language? Why /why not?
The statement “let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth” is an analogy drawn between kissing Christ’s feet, hand, and mouth in a more illustrative and unitive way. This is a sign of genuine conversation about how life is, and it accorded to those who are making progress. This statement does not sound Christian or spiritual, especially to those who have not read the Song of Songs but those familiar with this book.
How does Bernard or Hadewijch understand love as a way to approach God?
Bernard and Hadewijch understand love in so many different ways. Love to them is a way to make God act on certain things. They both present that love moves God because God is the creator of absolute Love. Love joints God with the man in a special way, and therefore God must be approached with love.
What strikes you most about Hadewijch’s vision?
What strikes me most about Hadewijch’s vision is on acceptance and the love for God. In one of her visions, she states that she spends quality time with Christ. This helped her identify that acceptance for God can help achieve anything in life. It is surprising how she claims to have lived with Christ during his suffering. This makes her consider herself God. Calling herself God is also very unusual to any Christian.
Do you think Bernard and Hadewijch offer resources for our contemporary spiritual and or our contemporary artistic expression? Why or why not?
From the video, I think that Bernard and hardewijch offer resources that help us understand contemporary spiritualities (Suydam & Hadewijch). This is because, in as much as some of the explanation is controversial, they present us with a clear explanation of what the love of God is all about. From the resources given, we can get some interpretation required to understand the bible hence enhance our spirituality.
Works Cited
Hadewijch (CWS). Paulist Press, 1980.
Suydam, Mary. “Hadewijch of Antwerp’s Dark Visions of Heaven.” Imagining Heaven in the Middle Ages: A Book of Essays (2014): 119-142.
Mommaers, Paul, Elisabeth Dutton, and Elisabeth M. Dutton. Hadewijch: writer, beguine, love mystic. Peeters Publishers, 2004.