Song Of Solomon Chapter 2 Analysis - Literary devices and Poetic devices

Song Of Solomon Chapter 2

Old Testament, The KJV Bible

i am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.
His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.
My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
The Flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.
Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

Summary of Song of Solomon Chapter 2

Popularity of “Song of Solomon Chapter 2”: “Song of Solomon Chapter 2” is a part of the Old Testament, the Bible. It is considered one of the most poetic and romantic books in the Yet it seems to have created controversies due to its sensuous content. Despite this, its popularity has not receded at any time on account of the truthful portrayal of the human desire for friendship and the thematic strands of love and loyalty. The poetic piece features the speaker and his lover, expressing their mutual adoration for each other explicitly. The chapter’s opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song that reverberates until the end.
“Song Of Solomon Chapter 2” As a Representative of Reality of Love and Companionship: As a representative of reality, “Song of Solomon Chapter 2” portrays the intense and passionate expression of emotions that accompany the desire for love. The chapter presents a speaker and his beloved, expressing their mutual desire and deep affection for each other in a raw and sensual way. The explicit images used in this chapter such as the reference to the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys (line 1) create a real picture of the beauty and fragility of love. The imagery of an apple tree and its fruit being sweet to the speaker’s taste (line 3) further adds another layer of sensuality and shows a down-to-earth portrayal of love. The chapter also captures the depth and complexity of human emotions, particularly the human desire for companionship, intimacy, and physical intimacy.
Major Themes in “Song of Solomon Chapter 2”: The major themes in “Song of Solomon Chapter 2” include love, desire, and the beauty of nature. The chapter celebrates the joy and intensity of romantic love, portraying the deep emotional connection between the speaker and his beloved. It starts with the first three lines, showing references to the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys, the apple tree, and the singing birds. These images highlight the beauty and vitality of nature and how it enhances the experience of love.
The theme of desire is also evident in the song. It emerges when the speaker expresses his longing for his beloved and desire to be comforted. “Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love” (2:5) conveys his yearning for the touch of his beloved and her presence. The theme of passion and intimacy further reinforces this sense when the speaker says that “His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me” (2:6). It points to the physical proximity and tenderness between the speaker and his beloved.

Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Song of Solomon Chapter 2

This Song of Solomon Chapter 2 shows the use of various literary devices intended to enhance the impact of its text. Some of the major literary devices used in this religious piece are as follows.

Alliteration: This is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. For example, “and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell” (Line 13) shows the repetition of the /v/ and /s/ sound, creating alliterative effects.
Apostrophe: It is a figure of speech in which the speaker addresses an absent or imaginary person or thing. For example, “Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples” (Line 5) shows the speaker making his request for comfort, although no one is physically present.
Hyperbole: It is a deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or dramatic effect. For example, “for I am sick of love” (Line 5) shows the speaker using hyperbole to express the intensity of these feelings.
Imagery: It is the use of vivid and descriptive language to create sensory experiences. For example, “His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me” (Line 6) shows images, portraying physical proximity and intimacy between the speaker and his beloved.
Metaphor: It is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two different things without using “like” or “as.” For example, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys” (Line 1) shows the speaker comparing himself to flowers, symbolizing beauty, grace, and significance. It is also a good use of symbols.
Personification: It is attributing human characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. For example, “the voice of the turtle is heard in our land” (Line 12) shows the turtle is personified as it is attributed to have human quality of voice.
Repetition: It is the recurrence of words, phrases, or sounds for emphasis or rhythmic effect. For example, “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away” (Line 13) shows the repetition of the word “love” or the phrase “my love” at several places to indicate the speaker’s invitation and longing for his beloved.
Simile: It is a figure of speech that compares two different things using “like” or “as.” For example, “As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters” (Line 2) shows this simile comparing the unique and exceptional nature of the speaker’s love to the lily among thorns.
Symbolism: It is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. For example, “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love” (Line 4) shows the banqueting house and the banner symbolizing the love of the speaker.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Song of Solomon Chapter 2

Poetic and literary devices are the same, but a few are used only in poetry. Here is an analysis of some of the poetic devices used in this poem.

Diction: It is the choice and use of words in a literary work. The author’s choice of words, such as “flagons,” “comfort,” and “sick of love,” shows the use of loving and emotional diction.
Meter: It is the rhythmic pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry. The song does not adhere to a specific metrical pattern throughout; it contains a rhythmic flow with variations in the length and stress of syllables.
Text: “Song of Solomon Chapter 2” is a lyrical text characterized by the expression of the speaker’s emotions, feelings, and personal experiences.
Tone: It is the attitude or mood conveyed by the speaker or writer. The tone in “Song of Solomon Chapter 2” is passionate, exciting, and cheerful.

Quotes to be Used

This quote is appropriate to use on various romantic occasions, such as weddings and anniversaries, or to express love and admiration to a significant other.

i am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.” (Song of Solomon 2:1)