as a series of literal events. It is instead a collection of pictures, imaginings, and flights of fantasy. In the poem, the man and woman are real, as is their love. However, as is true in love poetry, there is no clear division between fantasy and reality. The same is true of their marriage relationship. Six times in the middle of the Song the man calls the woman his “bride” (4:8, 9, 10, 11, 12; 5:1). However, it is not possible to determine if the couple is already married or if their marriage