Song of Songs: An Allegory
Keith Moody
Winfree
HUM2051 Civilization 1: Ancient Through Medieval
31 October 2010
Song of Songs The question asked is if there are any problems with incorporating this book into the Bible. Ultimately to answer this question is not possible as the answer would be more a matter of opinion versus any actual fact. Religion, from my personal point of view, is that it is an individual’s opinion as to what their faith is. If religion or faith for that matter is an individual’s opinion then interpreting the Song of Songs and whether or not there are problems with incorporating it into the Bible is a question that would have many answers or viewpoints. I will attempt to provide my viewpoint to answer the question. I see the Song of Songs as an allegory. This is supposed to be a poem that is between lovers. A man and a woman are expressing appreciation for each other’s bodies in frank detail. It is intended to celebrate human sexuality, love and human life itself. The lovers repeatedly describe parts of each other’s bodies over and over. They make comparisons to animals or features of landscape. The intention of this is to have the reader gain the power of physical desire while appreciating the harmony of the human body and love. I first read the excerpts for the Song of Songs on pages 96 through 100 before I read anything that gave me a more clear understanding of what I read. I did not follow the readings as a poem of two lovers expressing their desire for each other and describing their bodies. I also did not make any connection that this would be included in the bible. According to the text the incorporation of this poem in sacred scripture suggests the possibility of different meanings and what these may be are an open question. I think this provides some substance to my opinion that fait is an individual’s opinion. This text has had a long history of divergent and different interpretations. At first I really did not feel that this text
Winfree
HUM2051 Civilization 1: Ancient Through Medieval
31 October 2010
Song of Songs The question asked is if there are any problems with incorporating this book into the Bible. Ultimately to answer this question is not possible as the answer would be more a matter of opinion versus any actual fact. Religion, from my personal point of view, is that it is an individual’s opinion as to what their faith is. If religion or faith for that matter is an individual’s opinion then interpreting the Song of Songs and whether or not there are problems with incorporating it into the Bible is a question that would have many answers or viewpoints. I will attempt to provide my viewpoint to answer the question. I see the Song of Songs as an allegory. This is supposed to be a poem that is between lovers. A man and a woman are expressing appreciation for each other’s bodies in frank detail. It is intended to celebrate human sexuality, love and human life itself. The lovers repeatedly describe parts of each other’s bodies over and over. They make comparisons to animals or features of landscape. The intention of this is to have the reader gain the power of physical desire while appreciating the harmony of the human body and love. I first read the excerpts for the Song of Songs on pages 96 through 100 before I read anything that gave me a more clear understanding of what I read. I did not follow the readings as a poem of two lovers expressing their desire for each other and describing their bodies. I also did not make any connection that this would be included in the bible. According to the text the incorporation of this poem in sacred scripture suggests the possibility of different meanings and what these may be are an open question. I think this provides some substance to my opinion that fait is an individual’s opinion. This text has had a long history of divergent and different interpretations. At first I really did not feel that this text