Description
This talk will examine the creation of gender norms in the medieval period, from the opinions of Plato and Aristotle, to the ideas of the so-called Church fathers, and their absorption and dissemination across Europe. It will then consider how these cultural norms influenced ideas about beauty standards, sexuality, and work for women. This examination will highlight how cultural constructs are made and remade in order to deprivilege women then and now, and why the history of women is both so urgent and overlooked.
About the Speaker
Dr Eleanor Janega is a medieval historian and broadcaster specialising in sexuality, propaganda, ghost beliefs, apocalypticism, urbanity, and empire in the late medieval and early modern periods. Her work aims to highlight the ways that our society has been influenced by the past and more particularly, how it tells stories about history that aren't true to justify our own deslires. Dr Janega's work has appeared in Time, The Washington Post, Slate, The London Review of Books, and The Times Literary Supplament, among other outlets. Her books include The Middle Ages: A Graphic Guide, and The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women's Roles in Society. She is the co-host of the Gone Medieval and We're Not So Different Podcasts.
About Colloquium
Colloquium is a weekly series of talks featuring staff, fellows, and scholars who are working with the library’s vast collections. These events bring together experts from various fields to share their research on a wide range of topics, followed by an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and engage in conversation.
Colloquium is open to the public and offers a chance to explore fascinating ideas and new discoveries. No advance registration is required.