Letter I, Historia Calamitatum, Abelard to a Friend, the Story of His Misfortunes Summary and Analysis

The first letter Abelard wrote is to a friend, describe his past trials and misfortunes. It functions as an appropriately introductory letter because it sets the stage for the remaining letters.

Abelard was born near Brittany, eight miles east of Nantes in a town called Le Pallet. He ascribes his "volatile" personality and his ability for learning to his native land and ancestry. His father had intended that his sons be educated and Abelard loved learning so much that he devoted his life to study and gave his inheritance to the eldest son of his brothers. Abelard's father was a knight but Abelard gave up weapons for argument and chose disputation instead of war. Abelard started to...