![]() Systems of medicine right upto the 17th century CE continued to describe female behaviour as hysterical since it devolved from the uterus. Most hysterics, persons with exaggerated emotional reactions, displaying heightened emotions or feelings, were invariably women. Women had wombs (husteras) and were therefore prone to hysteria, brought about by difficult and complex uteri (plural) that travelled mysteriously all over the female body. The occasional reference to a female heretic is seldom offset by references to a male hysteric. Originating from Latin (hustera womb) and Greek (hustericos of the womb), ‘hysteria’ (noun) made its way into 17th century England. The word hysteric, however, was associated primarily with women. Dante, John Milton, William Blake voiced heretical (adjective) beliefs in their times. Very often, poets across the centuries have been termed heretic for speaking out against conventional beliefs. Heresy now refers to unconventional and strongly held views opposing powerful authority.Ī modern heretic may or may not be religious. The modern day usage has shifted away from essentially religious paradigms. The words ‘heresy’ and ‘heretic’ shift in meaning as we move down the centuries. Living amidst controversies, all of them qualify as heretics. Religious heretics have sometimes been canonised as great saints in the course of history.Ĭloser home, Akka Mahadevi (12th century), Nam Dev (13th century), Kabir, (15th century), Mirabai, (16th century), Tukaram (17th century) led devout lives but their personal faith challenged conventional religious practices. Many heretics were burnt at the stake while others were poisoned or put to death over their beliefs. Martin Luther (1483-1546) and Joan of Arc (1412-1431) were accused of heresy since their challenge of the conventions of the Catholic Church was non-conformist and apostate (renouncer of religious\political belief). In the middle ages, a heretic was a dissenting Christian whose beliefs and practices contradicted the core tenets of Christianity. The ‘heretic’ (noun, from Latin and Greek) evolved from Catholic and orthodox religious belief and refers to unorthodox thinkers whose practice challenged religious authority. It originally referred to belief and practices that did not correspond to orthodox church doctrine. HERESY (Greek and Latin choice) has been in existence in the English language from the 12th century.
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