THE SCIENCE OF LITERATURE METHOD OF PROF. M. WEISS IN CONFRONTATION WITH FORM CRITICISM, EXAMPLIFIED ON THE BASIS OF Ps. 49

Abstract

SUMMARY The purpose of this article is to offer some remarks on the relation between the Science of Literature method of Prof. M. Weiss and the Formcritical method. I intend to do this in three stages. First of all the starting-off point of Weiss is presented. Next comes his critique of current exegesis. Finally some remarks follow about the relation between the Science of Poetry and the Formcritical approach, as illustrated in the case of Ps. 49. According to Weiss, basic principles have been formed in the new critical trend of the general Science of Literature which can be applied' in the process of interpretation. The exegesis of the Tenach should take into account the insights of the Science of Poetry as to the essence of language and as to the unicity and once for all character of a linguistic work of art. Seeing that current exegesis takes little or no account of this, Weiss considers this exegesis as needing supplementation and correcting and even calls it inapplicable. In our eyes only a creative ...