<i>Dark Age Bodies: Gender and Monastic Practice in the Early Medieval West</i> (review)
Terrence G. Kardong
Reviewed by: Dark Age Bodies: Gender and Monastic Practice in the Early Medieval West Terrence G. Kardong O.S.B. West. By Lynda L. Coon. [The Middle Ages Series.] (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. 2011. Pp. xii, 390. $65.00. ISBN 978-0-812-24269-0.) Coon says that her purpose this book is to "reconstruct gender ideology clerical masculinity through an investigation early medieval readings body"(p. 2). She has chosen for subject work Hrabanus Maurus (780-856), a monk Fulda who was one most prolific influential Carolingian authors. The text main focus remarkable In Honor Holy Cross. Beyond writings Hrabanus, also analyzes some other remains—namely, Westwerk Corbey, Michael Rotunda Fulda, Plan St. Gall. all these productions, stresses element bricolage—that is, collecting items from another culture make point. claims Carolingians liked display materials Roman times emphasize their role as guardians frontier against barbarian east. Overall, Coon's analysis monuments interesting insightful. However, acrostic poem on Cross so complex esoteric it leaves reader gasping. author admits even did not fully understand what he doing. But proposes read material [End Page 764] theory—a method poses problems, given monasticism heavily patriarchal, can be misleading view any institution single analytical lens. applies theory states that, them, great thing proper speech. Whoever could speak Latin lead; "mouth person." "body person," fit only listen led. monastery, illiterates boys were obviously second category. rubric theory, means they are "feminine," which passive, heavy, subordinate. When Rule Benedict, she abbot quintessential man." He does talking monastery; teacher. disciplinarian, must sometimes physically beat dull or recalcitrant disciples (RB 28.3). adds: "In terms Benedictine pyramid, being able others (the abbot's ultimate charge [emphasis added]) . key marker status." A few sentences later we learn rod beating (virga) "capable inflicting blows sexual penetration" (p. 87). Thus pederast presented. case doubts serious about monasticism, dormitory: "Whereas refectory space devoted ascetic gullet, dormitory symbolically speaking, zone anus, itself metaphor illicit entry into community" 196).Apparently monastery really just male brothel. Despite dubious representation respected institution, deal seeing things different angle. extremely learned good writer. casting Benedict "queer" document seems unfounded. Assumption Abbey Richardton, ND Copyright © 2011 Catholic America Press
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