I think that this letter more tells of the faults of Abelard and Heloise's society than of some great love story. Abelard was ready to give up on Heloise now that he couldn't have relations with her, and sent her off to be a Nun. He didn't write to her or have any contact with her until she read a copy of a letter that he had distributed to tell the tale of his tragic life. Heloise seems upset the Abelard hasn't written to her and I think its pretty horrible that he's made her because a Nun and abandoned her. The fact that this wasn't unusual in the 12th century is troubling. Their tale also shows how much power the church had over people, it seems that the church and its leadership could do basically whatever they wanted. I think the story of Abelard and Heloise is certainly a tale of a tragic relationship, but not a great romance.
Abelard, Peter, and Heloise. The Letters of Abelard and Heloise. London: Penguin Classics, 2003.
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