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History is a tricky subject. Not just because you never know if your texts really have been written by that special person, if they are just re-worked, completely forged or someone made a mistake by copying them. But also because we can only judge a different time, place and society from our own point of view.

There's no doubt about the historical existence of Peter Abelard and Héloïse. There's also no doubt about his importance in his time and their relationship. But there are doubts if this exchange of letters that made them both so famous as lovers is really authentically.

Sure, Rage of the Heart is nothing but a musical - a musical about a simple, classical love story that's easy to understand for everyone. If that's your point of view, all you need to know is written in the synopsis. But if you're interested in understanding the figures and their actions, follow me ...

• "Abelard and Héloïse" - the facts in a short form
• "Don't forget that I belong to you" - an easy to understand essay about the love affair of Abelard and Héloïse
• Genesis - Enrico Garzilli discusses the genesis of the musical...

The most interesting publications in the net:

• Lectures on Modern European Intellectual History, written by Steven Kreis for his students at Florida Atlantic University
• "Tape 5: Peter Abelard", a lecture by the Macquarie University about schools, Abelard and his work
• "Historia Calmitatum (The Story of My Misfortunes)", written by Abelard himself
• "Chronicles of Love and Resentment", a reading by Eric Gans
• Abelard, Pierre, by William Turner
• Peter Abelard, a biography from the Latter Rain Page
• Abelard: Chants for Heloise, yes, they've even recorded a CD of it!

This site was created by Astrid Ostheimer
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