The Song of Songs and Its Tradition in Renaissance Love Lyric

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Traditionally attributed to King Solomon and revered by Rabbi Akiva as the "Holy of Holies" among sacred Scriptures, the Song of Songs is a captivating and controversial biblical text that significantly influenced European spirituality and culture. It uniquely blends a sensual celebration of love with a rich tradition of Christian allegorical interpretation, appealing to poets of both religious and love poetry during the Middle Ages and early modern period. This investigation offers a systematic exploration of the Song of Songs' multifaceted use in Renaissance love lyric poetry, focusing on Italian, French, and particularly English works. The narrative begins with two chapters on medieval poetry and Petrarch, tracing the Song's role in the evolution of European love lyric from its medieval origins to the late sixteenth century. The study provides a comprehensive view of the Song's impact on this literary tradition, analyzing key works by authors such as Dante, Petrarch, Tasso, Marguerite de Navarre, and Shakespeare, among others. By adopting a comparative approach, the research deepens the understanding of the European love lyric's evolution and situates the Song of Songs within a broader context of literature, philosophy, theology, and cultural history, illuminating the thought and spirit of pivotal eras in shaping European culture.