At its core, the Song of Songs is about good, old-fashioned lust. And no offense to the senior citizens in the crowd, but this is young love. Everything about these two is youthful—virginity, fertility, and heck, they're even described with words like "ruddy." Doesn't get fresher than that. And in case we missed the point, the author reinforces all the youthfulness with plenty of springtime images. Blossom, anyone?
Questions About Youth
- How would Song of Songs be different if it were about love between an older couple?
- Is the physical youthfulness of the couple what matters? Or is it more about their emotional youthfulness?
- Could Song of Songs be set in the winter? How would that change our reading of the poems?