Abstract
M.A. (Biblical Studies)
The aim of this study is
idiom, personification, and
book of Lamentations.
to investigate
the use thereof
the metaphorical
as found in the
The method that has been
justified combination of
exegetic steps. Work has
chapters, but the book as
followed in this investigation is a
both the synchronous and diachronic
primarily been done on the first two
a whole has also been implicated.
Within the use of personification as poetic language functioning
in the respective lamentations, the poet highlights the
sorrow of Jerusalem to the reader. Jerusalem is 'presented to
the reader by means of personification figures, e.g. widow,
empress, conscript and daughter of Zion.
Personification creates stress and expectations on the part of
the reader. The personified Jerusalem enters into conversation
with God as well as the passersby, and this prompts the
forming of dialogue. The attention of the reader is drawn and
kept by the use of the direct as well as the indirect speech
of the poet. The reason for the fall of Jerusalem, viz. her
sins, is discovered by means of dialogue which is formed with
the help of personification. The destruction is God's way of
punishing her for her sins.
perand
upon
reader
The characteristics of the different personalities of
sonification, e.g. mourn, loneliness, conversation, eye
mouth, allow the reader to experience the grief imposed
Jerusalem. The grief of Jerusalem is described to the
in terms of human characteristics (personification).
By using personification, the poet highlights the relationships
between the widow and, respectively, God, friends and
enemies. It is mentioned how these relationships had been in
the past, as well as the way they are now after the destruction
of Jerusalem.
The poet's use of personification as poetic idiom results in
the reader becoming involved in the grief inflicted upon
Jerusalem and in this way the grief is accentuated strongly.