Study, translation from Hebrew by Ernest Renan
10,80€
Renan, as an historian of religion with a rationalistic background, but above all as a philologist with an exceptional knowledge of and connection with the French language, left us an excellent translation of the Song of Songs. This text never ceased to intrigue and attract with its mystery people of science, letters, and art
Renan, as an historian of religion with a rationalistic background, but above all as a philologist with an exceptional knowledge of and connection with the French language, left us an excellent translation of the Song of Songs. This text never ceased to intrigue and attract with its mystery people of science, letters, and art. In his version, he argues that it would be a mistake to believe that the poem was nothing but a scandalous or even mystical text. He notes in this regard:
The conscience of humanity was not deceived on all points. So great is the power of religious feeling that it gives beauty and charm to misconceptions. The clairvoyant notion is wrong from a literary point of view. Still, it is valid from the point of view of religion and points to the immense sanctification of love that Christianity inaugurated.
Renan’s attempt to give a theatrical form to the Song of Songs has been questioned by many scholars. Still, linguistically and poetically, it has never been challenged by anyone, and its beauty has remained solid pure.
Ernest Renan
