The Soul Set Free
The text is actually nearly as overflowing with metaphor as a modern novel, which is a notable feat considering that the pool of available of metaphorical comparisons was significantly smaller during the Dark Ages. It quickly becomes clear, however, that Perote (or the translator) would be lost without the power of comparison:
“This Soul set Free, says Love, supports herself upon two crutches, one on the right and the other on the left. With these two crutches the Soul stands firm against her enemies, like a castle built upon a rock rising out of the sea which cannot be undermined.”
The Soul
The characters in this book are conventionally Medieval in that they are allegorical constructs. For instance, the dialogue is a discourse between Soul, Love and Reason. When it comes to the Soul, the metaphorical impulses of the author are truly unleashed…as more allegorical figures.
“This Soul, says Love, is Lady of the Virtues, Daughter of the Deity, Sister of Wisdom and the Bride of Love.”
Paradise
The Christian concept of paradise is actually a bit more complicated than it would seem. Of course, this complication is utterly bound to ecclesiastical divergences of opinion and on the subject some Medieval philosophers expended thousands of words. Perote nails it as metaphor in less than ten words:
“Paradise is nothing else than to see only God.”
“Holy Church the Less”
Sometimes translated as “Holy Church of the Little.” This is one metaphor which ultimately contributed to the author of the text being burned at the stake as a heretic. Martin Luther would not nail his theses to the door of a church for roughly couple of a hundred years and within the metaphor of “Holy Church the Less” likes almost the entirety of the critique of the Vatican contained within those theses. It is a symbolic reference to everything the Church protected and every fault that Perote could find.
Critique of Critics
It also certainly could not have slowed down her inexorable journey to the burning stake that Perote was pretty ruthless in her criticism of those who themselves criticized her views. Views, it should be noted, which were not solely the domain of herself; she was part of a broader movement. The criticism leveled against those eager to accept things as is without critical thinking skills is a common metaphor inspired by scriptural allusion still popular today:
“Ah, you sheep, says this Soul, how like that of animals is your understanding! You leave the corn and take the straw.”
