Gender and the body
Lynda L. Coon
In his famous treatise on the origins of ecclesiastical offices, Isidore, bishop Seville (d. 636 CE), provides generations Christian altar servants with explicit instructions as to care and cultivation public persona priestly body. These directives include a section management masculine voice during celebration liturgy. Here, Isidore counsels priests refrain from uttering obsence language, be mindful both gesture gait, monitor pitch gravity their elocutions when performing sacred rites. According should clear simple, it possess full vigor manhood; never make rustic or clownish noises, nor sound too servile lofty, fractured delicate. The lector uses an instrument through which he penetrates intellects hearers. Most importantly, perfect liturgical in no way effeminate. order avoid risk appearing femineus (“effeminate,” “womanly”), lector’s movements must infused gravitas (“dignity,” “power”). Scholars classical gender sexuality would immediately recognize vestiges Roman views elite male body Isidore’s clergy. fact, connection between Rome Visigothic Spain is direct –the summons oratorical mastery first-century rhetorician Quintilian revamp image modern priest. Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria (c.90), meticulous neophyte orators girding body, proper positioning fingers, somber striding.
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