Two Fawns and the Figure of Desire: A Look into Female Sexuality and Narrative in the Hebrew Bible's "Song of Songs"

There is a rise of academic interest in the Song of Songs, but more research is necessary. With the growth of progressive policies, such as the social acceptance of female sexual expression in music and literature, it is important to analyze that these expressions and desires have a strong presence in the creation of modern-day culture. By researching these historical examples of female narration, and analyzing depictions of female centered sexuality, we can better understand their influence on modern-day sexuality. The Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon, is a collection of love poetry. It is recognized by the Protestant and Catholic canons towards the end of the Old Testament, and is Canonical in Jewish scripture as one of the last scrolls (megillot) of the Tanakh. Furthermore, it is unique in that it contains no mention of covenants with God, but instead celebrates a harmonious and sexual relationship between two lovers. A lot of midrash (rabbinic biblical commentary) has been created to defend its inclusion in holy books, many saying its story is allegorical for God's relationship to his covenant. Its inclusion in religious canon is a beautiful example of extremely overt sexual intimacy, showing a side of female desire that is not often recorded.