Perspective

The Letters of Abelard and Heloise have three perspectives. The first perspective is that of the editor and translators, though these perspectives vary from book to book. Typically, editors and translators give the relevant historical background on what historians know about Abelard and Heloise's circumstances whenever the book was published. They will also discuss issues concerning translation and recent historical discoveries. By and large, the perspective is one of impartial scholarship.

The primary perspective of the Letters is that of Peter Abelard. Abelard is a man a bit full of himself, growing up as an upstart, a trait he never quite lost. He is aware of his arrogance, but due to his extraordinary intellect he has trouble handling it. His arrogance comes forward particularly in his clear refusal to take responsibility for the harms he perpetrated on Heloise and daring to advise Heloise after she expressed hurt to...