This thesis addresses whether or not, according to theologians, virgins could maintain their virginity even after instances of physical loss, such as rape. I will use post-structuralism as the method. This thesis will use a socio-cultural analysis by viewing virginity's relationship with the norms of society. It will examine virginity and its place within texts and the Christian tradition. Most importantly, it will view how virginity has changed over time, and from one thinker to the next in response to the tension between the body and spirit. Beginning with Augustine, and into the medieval era, there are theological ideas that allow for virginity to remain even after physical losses like rape. This was not true for most thinkers before Augustine. Physical virginity was rendered absolute in order to claim virginity. The goal is to assess raped virginity's place within medieval society. Virginity offered an escape to women who did not wish to marry and bear children, and also offered the highest honor of heavenly reward alongside martyrdom. However, maintaining physical virginity could not always be guaranteed. Rape was a threat to many Holy Virgins in medieval Europe, especially in times of violence. This paper will assess how women of the convents were able to maintain their virginity even when threatened with violation. The change in the theology of virginity provided a way for these virgins to challenge rape. Spiritual virginity, which was in constant tension with bodily virginity, was an idea developed in response to rape, allowing a woman's access to virginity regardless of physical intactness. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Religion in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts. / Summer Semester 2015. / July 15, 2015. / Medieval, Monasticism, Rape, Violence, Virginity / Includes bibliographical references. / François Dupuigrenet, Professor Directing Thesis; Kathleen Erndl, Committee Member; Nicole Kelley, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_253168 |
| Contributors | Wallace, Ashley Nicole (authoraut), Dupuigrenet Desroussilles, François, 1953- (professor directing thesis), Erndl, Kathleen M. (committee member), Kelley, Nicole, 1975- (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college), Department of Religion (degree granting department) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource (102 pages), computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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