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About Eloisa to Abelard (Unabridged)

The Romantic Epistle was published in 1717 and aroused considerable interest because of its mildly suggestive content. It portrays an incident in which Héloïse d'Argenteuil, now immured in a convent chances on a letter from her former lover and later, husband, the brilliant philosopher Peter Abelard. The two met when Abelard was engaged as a tutor to the precious Héloïse. A passionate love affair ensured, as a result of which Héloïse gave birth to a son. In an effort to protect her from the wrath of her family, Abelard married her and removed her from his family estate. However, the family tracked Abelard down and castrated him in revenge. The former lovers then entered monastic institutions where they remained for the rest of their lives. The poem is essentially a meditative reflection by Héloïse on love, human and divine. She confesses, that despite the passage of time and changes in circumstances, her passion for her former lover still smoulders, and has been awakened into flame by her perusal of the letter.