Hildegard von Bingen is a woman to be admired, not just because her opera Ordo Virtutum was one of the the first plays about virtue, but also because she wrote it during a time where everyone was hesitant to explore what the natural human was like. An interesting thing to note about it is that while the purpose of the Ordo Virtutum was to encourage its audience to do better so that one day they may inherit eternal life, it does not really go into detail about biblical events, what the life of a saint looks like, or even so much as miracles. Rather, it elaborates on more of the virtues by giving human-like characteristics to them, and also about the Devil fighting over the destiny of a human soul.
At first, I was not quite sure what to make of this portrayal of hers on the virtues. To me, it sort of sounds like she was implying there's a sense of danger in trying to find our destinies, paths, purposes in life, as if all this struggling and searching allows some sort of crack that the Enemy can slip through. For those just wanting to discover themselves as well as learn their virtues and strengths, it's almost like a spit in the face.
But I think Hildegard intends it to be a gentle warning, not a spit in the face after all. The moment we know that we are not whole is the moment that the Enemy knows this as well, and he will stop at nothing to attempt to keep us this way. The more we get closer to filling the hole inside of us properly with the goodness of God and the plan and purpose He has for us, the more the devil will send attack after attack. Hildegard is far from discouraging a search for wholeness. Through the Ordo Virtutum, she's just recommending that believers be completely aware of Satan's schemes while on this search.
I commented on posts by Brooke and Hailey M.
I recall the example of stereotypical sports coaches who treat their players with a kind of hard love in order to try and challenge them to be better at their craft. It seems that Hildegard was thinking along the same lines with the audience and the theme of the Ordo Virtutum, and having more structure or discipline in the way a child is raised or someone conducts their everyday tasks would not likely hurt in the effort to obtain a better life like what some denominations believed one could do. Having a lesson to learn from a story is a defining characteristic of drama and other audiovisual arts, and respect and discipline were certainly at the top of that list during Hildegard's time.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachael! Interesting post! I think you were spot on when you mentioned how Hildegard implied danger in searching for yourself. And I agree with your idea that maybe she was warning rather than reprimanding. It is definitely important for us, as Christians, to remember that the Enemy will take even the smallest doubt or fear, and use it to turn us away from God.
ReplyDelete