The heretic and the hysteric

HERESY (Greek and Latin; choice) has been in existence  in the English language from the 12th century. It originally referred to belief and practices that did not correspond to orthodox church doctrine.

The ‘heretic’ (noun, from Latin and Greek) evolved from Catholic and orthodox religious belief and refers to unorthodox thinkers whose practice challenged religious authority. In the middle ages, a heretic was a dissenting Christian  whose beliefs and practices contradicted the core tenets of Christianity. 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 religiouspolitical belief).

Many heretics were burnt at the stake while others were poisoned or put to death over their beliefs. Religious heretics have sometimes been  canonised as great saints in the course of history.  

Closer 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. Living amidst controversies, all of them qualify as heretics. 

The words ‘heresy’ and ‘heretic’ shift in meaning as we move down the centuries. The modern day usage has shifted away from essentially religious paradigms.  Heresy now refers to unconventional and strongly held views opposing powerful authority. 

A modern heretic may or may not be religious. Very often, poets across the centuries have been termed heretic for speaking out against conventional beliefs. Dante, John Milton, William Blake voiced heretical (adjective) beliefs in their times. 

The word hysteric, however, was associated primarily with women. Originating from Latin (hustera; womb) and Greek (hustericos; of the womb), ‘hysteria’ (noun) made its way into 17th century England. 

The occasional reference to a female heretic is seldom offset by references to a male hysteric. 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. Most hysterics, persons with exaggerated emotional reactions, displaying heightened emotions or feelings, were invariably women. Systems of medicine right upto the 17th century CE continued to describe female behaviour as hysterical since it devolved from the uterus. Discrimination against women can  be studied through the evolution of the word hysteria, which once  described a part of the female body but subsequently went on to frame  discussions of female demeanour, temperament and emotion. The 19th and early 20th century studies in psychology followed suit. Around World War II, it was observed that hysterical behaviour was rampant among men who had fought on the battlefield.

Although, the uterus is no longer identified as the female emotional centre, older connotations prevail. Invasive medical procedures, such as ‘hysteroscopy’ (extracting  tissue sample from the uterus) and ‘hysterectomy’ (removal of uterus),  continue to  reinforce vestigial associations.

Engaging with heresy and freethinking  on an regular basis should bring down levels of hysteria substantially.