Song Of Solomon Passage Analysis

This passage showcases the many controversies and conflicts of interpretation that concern theologians about the Song of Solomon, arguably the most critically examined and controversial book of the Bible. In considering the rich imagery impacting the verse as a piece of literature, and the historical context of the marriage tradition as the Bridegroom marvels over his beloved’s beauty, one can primarily consider the Song as a highly erotic piece of poetry between two lovers. Further of note is how the passage is tethered to the rest of the Bible through its use of prevalent motif, an interesting observation considering how many dispute the validity of the work’s inclusion in the holy book itself. Furthermore, whilst commentaries attempt to
Her teeth as ‘a flock of sheep even shorn’ suggests she is white, pure and untainted. Contrasting with this is the ‘flock of goats’ likened to the beloved’s hair. The undulating movement of the flock of dark goats down the mountain mimics the brides flowing hair, a striking image further intensified by contrast of the ‘scarlet’ lips. These extremes of colour make her beauty dramatic and intoxicating to her lover, and perhaps holding further literary implications for future descriptions of idealised women, such as that of Snow White who had ‘skin as white as snow, skin as red as blood, and hair black as ebony.’ The bride’s perfect nature is intensified by use of motifs of order and structural symmetry. The images of the teeth and breasts as ‘twins’ suggest order in themselves, but also appear at similar distances from each other contained within the aforementioned refrain, giving beautiful symmetry to the section and perfect harmony to the lovers. Further structural symmetry is seen in patterns of verse. Lines alternate between extended descriptions of one feature, followed by a pair of features. All these devices make their love seem so perfect it appears predestined or even inevitable. This perhaps serves to counter common opinion that the lover’s feelings are somehow unorthodox, as there is no concrete suggestion that the lovers are married for the whole Song. Indeed, whilst the
This in turn prompts a more theologically implicated reading, showcasing a question Rabbanic and early Christian theologians have attempted to address; how far can one stretch the interpretation that the romantic text allegorically addresses the love between God and his Church? One could argue that in this passage’s case many links are over-tenuous, considering its clearly sexual erotic tones. The strongest religious allusions appear in the latter images, where the strongest case lies for a faith-based interpretation of the Song. The images of the ‘mountain of myrrh’ and the ‘hill of frankincense’ could link to the bride’s breasts, but also to the Magi’s gifts at the nativity. Many suggest that the hills refer to Calvary, where Jesus was crucified in Matthew , thus symbolising the couple’s love lasting until very end, or indeed the second coming. This links closely to the mentions of ‘the shadows flee away’ and ‘the day breaks’ . These wide sweeping images contrast sharply with the detailed close analysis of the bride’s features, implying that the love shown is something holy, with a deep significance beyond the couple’s own intimate feelings. This can be perhaps be linked again to the ‘scarlet’ imagery, implying all the bride’s words and indeed those of God’s people are sanctified,