Hildegard Of Bingen Analysis

Hildegard of Bingen lived to be a multifaceted abbess. She accomplished to be a multitude of professions, such as a preacher, visionary, scientist, poet, philosopher, and a composer during her lifetime. Hildegard’s life was filled with great joy, but also was accompanied with sickness and loss. She grew up in the monastery at Disibodenberg, where her parents entrusted her to the church at a very young age. At the church, Hildegard grew up with her foster mother and sister nuns. However, Hildegard proved to be unlike her sisters. Dean Kozol explored how Hildegard is progressive for her time period and the importance of music.
Hildegard behaves in an unorthodox manner for her time period, which can be seen by her actions and in her writings. For example, Hildegard relocated her nuns to Rupertsberg. In the monastery, the nuns were under the power of a man. However, Hildegard wanted more independence. As a result, she and her fellow nuns traveled to Rupertsberg and appointed Volmar as provost. In addition, Hildegard was outspoken. For example, at the age of sixty, she went out preaching against corruption. She also

walked five miles to speak directly to her superior at the age of eighty. Hildegard lived during a time period, where women did not have entitlement and men would hold powerful positions. She took a daring step by moving her nuns to Rupertsberg and preaching about corruption. Thus, Hildegard acts courageously during her life. In addition, Hildegard’s writings portray her unconventional nature. Hildegard writes, “reposes of Eden we lost when Adam fell.” In other words, Hildegard is blaming Adam for taking the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. Hildegard goes against traditions during the medieval era by holding Adam accountable for going against God’s order, when the blame was put on Eve. Ultimately, Hildegard takes a risk by presenting an alteration of the perceived belief. Thus, Hildegard is an embodiment of progressivism during the medieval time period.
In addition, Dean Kozol discussed the importance of music during this time period.

Music built a community during the medieval era. Hildegard and her sisters would perform various Gregorian chants. “Caritas abundat” is an example of a melody of Hildegard’s chant. This chant has a free expressive style and displayed melisma, when many notes are sung to a single word. When these songs and chants are performed, the sisters would listen to each other breathes and silences in order to create a melody. As a result, an ambiance mood was created by these chants. Furthermore, these songs were used to communicate ideas to people. During this time period, many people did not receive education unless they were nobles. As a result, illiterate people were able to understand the messages through songs. Music was used as an instrument to unite local people and the

church.
Throughout the duration of Hildegard’s life, she took risks by not acting conventional. Hildegard acted courageously by moving her nuns to Rupertsberg, preaching about corruption and walking five miles in order to speak directly to her superior. Dean Kozol’s lecture significantly added to my understanding of the text. She explained the importance of music during this time period. Dean Kozol played “Caritas abundat,” in order to show many notes were sung to a single word like “dedis.” Additionally, Dean Kozol performed a recipe in order to show Hildegard’s influence in medicine and provided a visual presentation of the cosmic egg in order to show Hildegard’s influence in science and religion. She explained how the sun represented god, the fiery outer oval represented God’s strength, and the three stars represented the holy trinity. Hildegard’s illumination merged science and religion, which inevitably reunites the mind and body. As a result, Hildegard proves to be the first modern scientist. Hildegard is an embodiment of progressivism during the medieval time period.