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    Published: 2023-12-221
    Vol. 65 No. 2 (2023)

    Song of Songs on the Background of Greek Novels

    Michał Wojciechowski

    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5658-7512
    https://doi.org/10.36124/rt.2023.13

    Abstract

    Many analogies between the Song of Songs and Hellenistic literature have been observed. They include the importance of love, similarity of lyrical and pastoral motives, analogies to dramas. A comparison with early Hellenistic novels (from the first century AD), Kallirhoe of Chariton and Ephesiaca of Xenofon would also be of benefit as the Song of Songs may follow a common earlier model and be from a similar period of time. In spite of some differences (poetic form, absence of adventures and violence in the Song, as well as religious atmosphere of the novels), there is a group of similarities between them. In both cases, a couple in love remains in the centre of the plot, both are exceptionally beautiful, love encounters obstacles and rivals appear, the woman is active and independent in love, she makes decisions in a way that is parallel and symmetric to her beloved, everything leads to a happy end. There are also minor analogies such as the similarity between love and sickness and the high price paid for a woman.

    Keywords:

    Song of Songs, Chariton, Xenophon of Ephesus, Bible background, two a couple in love, symmetry in love, Greek novels, Hellenistic literature, Greek influences in the Bible

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    Wojciechowski, M. (2023). Song of Songs on the Background of Greek Novels. Theological Yearbook, 65(2), 307–322. https://doi.org/10.36124/rt.2023.13

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