Nursing Enlightenment and a Grudge—Reinventing the Medieval Virgin’s Benevolent Breasts

Abstract

This article expands upon the function of an adulterous episode in Chapter X, Book II of Alfonso Martínez’s Corbacho. The tale of adulterous deception may use, parodically, Madonna lactans imagery to reveal women’s sinful nature, the extent to which may be understood through an expression of inverted forces. That is to say, the import of Marian lactation in artistic and literary representations helps to fully address women’s particularly evil ways. A final consideration will be given to a particular image of Marian lactation, which represents the hagiographic legend of St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153).