Outside Reading #4


During a reading of the song of Solomon from the Bible, I wondered how allegory fit into the class discussion on myth. It has been theorized that the love shown within the song of Solomon is an allegory for God’s love for the Israelites. But, does the discussion of love as it takes place add anything as it is not explicitly stated for what the love is based. Does allegory have explanatory power in the same way as myth, or should things be more explicitly said. If allegory does not have this power then why does it exist, simply as retelling of stories or an obstruction of what is more clearly the truth. But if allegory has the similar properties to it, then why don’t more things take on this storytelling device to impart messages to the reader.

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