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Document Details : Title: The Song of Songs Subtitle: Pornography or Erotica? Author(s): WOUTERS, Elisabeth Journal: Louvain Studies Volume: 47 Issue: 1 Date: 2024 Pages: 25-43 DOI: 10.2143/LS.47.1.3294552 Abstract : This article investigates the extent to which the Song of Songs, or Canticles, can be categorized as pornography or erotica. First, a concise background is provided concerning feminist exegesis of the Song. Subsequently, several scholarly views are discussed, in particular Roland Boer’s writings on the Song, after which a distinction is made between the concepts of erotica and pornography. Furthermore, building on Christopher Meredith as well as Els Vos’ artwork and a concise reference to Dostoevsky’s novel 'The Idiot', a connection is made to the more fundamental and existential levels of meaning that are to be distinguished in the Song. The levels of existentialism, mysticism and spirituality that are, be it implicitly or explicitly, present in the Song, are used to argue against a pornographic categorization of the Song, as well as to invite its readers to reflect outside of the boundaries of previous scholarly and religious interpretations of the Song. |
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