Magdalena A medieval portrait in song of the much-maligned Magdalen |
Mary Magdalen, so maligned over the years, earned her prostitute's reputation by coming from the town Magdala which in later history became renowned for it's brothels!
The name Mary Magdalen conjures up the image of a beautiful woman with long golden hair, clad in scarlet, holding an alabaster jar containing ointment, and weeping. The favourite female saint after the Virgin Mary in the Middle Ages, Mary Magdalen's persona appears as a penitent prostitute, a disciple of Christ, and a mourner at his Crucfixion, the woman to whom Christ appeared on Easter Sunday, the witness of the resurrection. Joglaresa present works that reflect the diverse attitudes of both female and male medieval writers towards this charismatic and compelling woman. MP3s: Ave, beata femina | Ave, plena Magdalena | O Maria, prius via
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