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Hildegard of Bingen: A Timeless Visionary

Hildegard of Bingen was ahead of her time in the 12th century for several reasons: 1) She was a polymath who specialized in many fields typically dominated by men, such as science, medicine, theology and the arts. She authored several books discussing her visions and perspectives. 2) She was an early feminist and prolific letter writer who delivered sermons to male audiences and wrote letters pointing out injustices, despite facing criticism. 3) She accomplished more than most women of her era, overcoming gender inequality norms through her courage to share her visions from God and contribute to society through her knowledge. Her contributions on feminism, theology, science and music remain relevant today. If alive

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56 views2 pages

Hildegard of Bingen: A Timeless Visionary

Hildegard of Bingen was ahead of her time in the 12th century for several reasons: 1) She was a polymath who specialized in many fields typically dominated by men, such as science, medicine, theology and the arts. She authored several books discussing her visions and perspectives. 2) She was an early feminist and prolific letter writer who delivered sermons to male audiences and wrote letters pointing out injustices, despite facing criticism. 3) She accomplished more than most women of her era, overcoming gender inequality norms through her courage to share her visions from God and contribute to society through her knowledge. Her contributions on feminism, theology, science and music remain relevant today. If alive

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krista del rosario
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Krista Clarise B.

Del Rosario 2MUS-2


MUS908
Reflection Paper: Hildegard of Bingen

1. Give at least 3 characteristics that made historians regard Hildegard as a woman


ahead of her time.

There are clearly a lot of reasons that can be pointed out as to why historians Hildegard
as a woman ahead of her time and here are the following points:

o Historians recognized Hildegard as a polymath and a visionary who indeed


specialized in many fields such as the sciences, medicine, theology, and the arts.
As a woman who specialized in a lot of areas, Hildegard made books which
mainly discusses about her perspective on certain topics such as Liber Vitae
Meritorum ("Book of Life's Merits"), which talks about an inseparable link
between vice and virtue and it also elaborates on the choices we make as human
beings. Liber Diviborum Operum which discusses the aspects of the relationship
of God with human beings and His creations. Lastly, Hildegard's best-known
Scrivias Domini ("Know the Way of the Lord") which consists of her visions and
descriptions on what she saw and how she interprets it. Scrivias Domini also
relates 26 of her visions along with her commentary on the nature of the Divine.
o Hildegard was also considered as an early feminist and a prolific letter-
writer in her time. In one of the articles that I have read, it states that she went on
speaking tours to deliver sermons to male audiences for having such misogynistic
mindset. As a letter-writer, Hildegard wrote to everyone including kings, queens,
ecclesiastical authorities and many others whenever she saw something wrong
with the patriarchal, ecclesiastical, or secular authorities. Hildegard did such
things because she was never afraid of criticisms from people because she knows
that she is doing the right thing.
o Hildegard of Bingen was considered to be the most powerful woman of her
era simply because of what she has accomplished throughout her life. Gender
inequality was greatly prevalent during the medieval period and in these times,
women were seen as completely inferior to men and that they have to follow the
rules given by the “dominating” men of their society thus they cannot do
anything about it or so they thought. This norm did not stop Hildegard from doing
and standing up for what she thought was right. In my opinion, ever since she
continually shared her visions of light and sound that she believed was messages
from God, it gave her some courage to contribute to the society as much as she
can and not be worried about the norms that were observed that time.
Additionally, Hildegard has contributed in the society in many different ways
with her wide knowledge in theology, sciences, and medicines. It has helped the
society progress as a whole.
2. How are her contributions still relevant today? How do you think will Hildegard
respond to the current social and political issues of modern times?
o Her contributions in different fields are still relevant to us until today. Even
though Hildegard's works were made during the medieval period, a lot of the
topics that she discussed in her books were still of great use to the doctors,
historians, scientists theologians, and many others, with their respective work.
Also, her music compositions remain relevant as it is still being played and
performed in the present day. Though, in my opinion, Hildegard who supports
feminism is the most applicable contribution that should be seen by people today.
Hildegard is not afraid to speak of the truth and is not afraid of criticizing
government leaders when she sees that something is wrong and I think that if she
is still alive today, she will continue to address our country's government for not
being able to handle the pandemic crisis properly.

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