Bells chime as a married couple skip hand in hand out of a church surrounded by cheers, hugs, and laughter. Friends and family dressed in their best clothing gather around to celebrate the ultimate commitment between two individuals. In the bible, marriage is consistently represented as a sacred union among two individuals, therefore highlighting its importance and how marriage should be viewed as a blessing and gift from God. The biblical book of Revelations describes a holy city created by God that represents a “new earth” (Revelations 21:1). This city “has no need of sun or moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it” (Revelations 21:23) and there will be no “tears, death, sorrow, and pain, for the former things are passed away” (Revelations 21:4). The book of Revelations uses this glorified perception of a sacred city to represent the beauty of a bride and how a groom perceives his wife. Specifically, it describes the city as “her light was like onto a stone most precious” which indicates that a bride is like a sacred and rare treasure.
The Book of Revelations also interestingly only uses the words “faithful and true” together, never apart, appearing in both chapters 21 and 22 to describe the holy city. This intentional pairing of words emphasizes the idea that love involves complete commitment, trust, and surrender. These strong values serve as a theme in the film “A Hidden Life” which tells a true story about an enduring love that perseveres through difficult times. In the movie, an Austrian farmer named Franz refuses to pledge allegiance to Adolf Hilter and is imprisoned. Their love story and constant trust in each other throughout their separation is a perfect example of unfailing love and commitment which is the type of love encouraged by the bible. For example, during the most difficult of times, Franz is faced with the decision to sacrifice his life in refusal of surrendering to Hitler, and his wife Franziska tells him “I love you. Whatever you do. Whatever comes. I am with you, always.” (2:26.54-2:27.51). Franziska did not beg Franz to surrender so she could keep her husband, instead she showed unconditional support and trust in him which takes significantly more strength.
Edmund Spenser’s Epithalamion written for Elizabeth Bishop of Ireland during the late 16th century dramatically describes a man’s perception of his bride. His poem strongly focuses on the physical desires for marriage, instead of the spiritual and soulful union purpose behind marriage. The poem uses a lot of descriptive language for readers to visualize the physical appearance of the bride, including the most favorable or desirable traits that a man looks for in a bride. For example, it mentions “long loose yellow locks of golden wyre” and “clad in all white, that seems a virgin best” (Spenser, stanza 9). Additionally, it describes the desired characteristics of a wife including “so sweet, so lovely, so mild as she” (Spenser 9) and how the bride should approach with “trembling steps and humble reverence” (Spenser 12). Because Spenser only really focuses on physical appearance and characteristics such as quiet, modest, and pure, and trembling, Spenser’s work reflects as patronizing and condescending towards women as if they have nothing else to contribute besides a beautiful appearance and a quiet presence. Therefore, although Spenser’s work highlights a man’s praise for his wife, he completely focuses on surface level love and lust, instead of deep love and connection for who they are.
The Book of Solomon almost takes the same route as Spenser’s Epithalamion as it similarly describes the favorable appearances of one’s bride such as having “doves’ eyes within thy locks” (Solomon 4:1) and “thy lips are like the thread of scarlet” (Solomon 4:3). The Book of Solomon highlights how a man can get wrapped up in a woman’s beauty stating that “thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain on thy neck” (Solomon 4:9). This represents that love is so powerful that it is capable of consumption.
Although Solomon describes the physical appearances of a desirable bride, the message quickly takes a turn as he writes “I am sick of love” (Solomon 5:8). This represents that one should realize that although worldly love is beautiful and gratifying, nothing is as fulfilling as love for God. It continues with the same detailed descriptions as before, but now about God, signifying that God is most desirable and beautiful. The message concludes with referring to God as “This is my beloved. I am my beloved and my beloved is mine” (Solomon 6:3).
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