Devotional Literature

Abstract

To some degree, talking about medieval devotional literature almost seems redundant, since most works, even with a secular function, contained a spiritually didactic message. Some of the more obvious types of such works include hagiographies, Books of Hours, visionary texts, and even early forms of drama. The less discussed devotional genre encompasses prose treatises and prayers, many of which were composed for women, both nuns and laywomen, and a number adapted from monastic works. No matter what source material or audience, however, medieval devotional treatises for women constructed an image of woman and an accompanying gender identity for their readers. Not content with guiding a woman into a holy life, these works also sought to govern her body as well as her soul.