TRS 754C Medieval Commentaries on the Song of Songs: The Cistercians

An examination of the Medieval Commentaries on the Song of Songs that Bernard of Clairvaux placed at the heart of his understanding of the Cistercian Reform. The course will examine the commentary of Origen that became the basis of Bernard's approach, Bernard's own commentaries, and those of William of St. Thierrey, Gilbert of Hoyland, and John of Ford.