Virginity, sexuality, and temptation

Chapter 9 attempts to redirect the focus of attention from virginity as a sexually appealing category and from the saint’s corporeality as an inevitable reason for the saint’s sexual temptation. It suggests that in the early Latin passiones Margaret regards her embodiment as of secondary importance compared to her spirituality and inner self. The chapter then focuses on the nuptial rhetoric of the legend, which is closely linked with virginity in medieval theology and liturgy.