| Abstract [eng] |
The Song of Songs is not only the book of the Old Testament, it is also a classic poem of love. Smells and other means of body language in the context of everyday culture is emphasised, a symbolic-allegoric meaning of the text is discussed. The object of this paper is intertextuality of the world of smells in The Song of Songs and Lithuanian literature of the 20th century. The aim of the paper is to overview symbolism of smell and its functions in Lithuanian poetic and prose texts referencing to The Song of Songs.Not only Origen, P. Claudel but also A. Baranauskas, J. Skvireckas are very important in order to understand smells in The Song of Songs. Intensive experiences of holiness, spiritual reality, memories about beautiful meetings of lovers, love, special time are expressed through smell. Identity is revealed drawing a parallel between smell and the name. Symbolism of smell is characterised by synesthesia of other poetic means. The story of A. Kuprinas is one of the most vivid examples in world literature. Rich pastiche of The Song of Songs, semantically strong symbolism of smell is a characteristic feature of the work. Smell is a metaphor of meetings, intimate relations, conversations. The beauty of an excited and mature individual, threatened by death is expressed by smell in O. Milašius‘ poems. Within the intertext of The Song of Songs, smell reveals a new phase in the lovers‘ relationships and imply a dramatic end in A. Vaičiulaitis‘ novel. Interpreting Lithuanian lyrics, B. Pūkelevičiūtė’s poems deserve special attention. Their most important common feature is situations where intimate relationships develop. A. Spraunius’ novel Sulamita is a post-modern version of The Song of Songs. The novel is not rich in smell but it plays an important role in the story about awaited, imaginary love which ends tragically. Semantics dominates in the discussed literary interpretations of The Song of Songs. It allows search for holiness, other religious experiences. |
