Act IV: After the Honeymoon
This portion presents an “agony-ecstasy” contrast as the couple settles into a marriage routine. There is still plenty of passion, but tempered against the reality of the difficulties of life: absence, the joy of his return, routine, unpleasant treatment from others, etc. The summary statement, however, is 6.3a, “I am my lover’s and he is mine.”
An interesting commentary is a playful custom of “hide and seek” presented in .:2-6, where the husband knocks at the door and calls to his wife. He then unlatches the door and places a bouquet inside. Quickly, he runs to hide. As the new wife comes to the door, she panics at his absence and races out to find him. Normally, he would be ready to jump from his den to surprise her. On this night, it is likely that he had been drawn away, after all he is the king, thus leaving her unprotected when found by the watchmen. Finally, she discovers him again in 6.2-3.
