Writing (in) Love: Goethe's 'Buch Suleika' and the Biblical Song of Songs. (2nd September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sauter, Caroline
• Is Part Of: Publications of the English Goethe Society. Volume 87:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 188
• Page End: 203
• Publication Date: 2018-09-02
• Subjects: West-östlicher Divan -- Song of Songs -- language of love -- biblical interpretation -- hermeneutics -- poetology -- Bible and literature -- rhetorics of love; German literature -- 18th century -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; German literature -- 19th century -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; Criticism and interpretation -- Periodicals; 830.9006
• DOI: 10.1080/09593683.2018.1519927
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3683

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This essay demonstrates that the creation of a poetic language of love in the West-östlicher Divan is deeply rooted in a specific tradition within Western intellectual history that Goethe had actively engaged with in his early work, and that was vehemently discussed during his lifetime: namely, the translation, adaptation, and interpretation of the biblical Song of Songs ( Hohes Lied ). More specifically, I claim that the Song provides the model for the poetic language of love that Goethe develops in the 'Buch Suleika', a language which is understandable on at least two levels — on a public level, as orientalist poetry by one of the most eminent poets of his epoch, and on a deeply personal level, as a mutual declaration and confession of love.