Locked-Out Lovers: Wisdom of Solomon 1.16 in Light of the Paraclausithyron Motif

Abstract

The common Greco-Roman motif of paraclausithyron was made up of three key elements. These most basic components found in both rudimentary and developed forms of paraclausithyron are (1) an inflamed lover, who for some reason (2) has been locked-out from the beloved, which results in (3) expressions of deep longing to be united with them. This article establishes these elements in classical examples and demonstrates that Wis. Sol. 1.16 contains these three elements in its reference to the love affair between the ungodly and the personification of Death. Such an allusion to this motif would show the extent of the fools' commitment to evil and would assist in the sage's pursuit to make their actions look absurd. It is likely that the audience of the Wisdom of Solomon would have picked up on this allusion.