In chapter two of her book on poetics and the Hebrew Bible Adele Berlin discusses “Character and Characterization.” Essentially she argues that narratives contain three broad types of characters: the full-fledged character, the type, and the agent (pp 23-24). To further explain her point she uses various women from the David story (Michal, Abigail, Bathsheba and Abishag). Michal is a full-fledged character, even to the extent that after David flees the story remains focused on her as she explains herself to her father. Bathsheba, when she first appears, is simply an agent. She is required for the plot, but little else. Later, however, at the end of David’s life, Bathsheba becomes a full-fledged character intent on securing the throne for her son.
It is in her discussion of this later use of Bathsheba that I think Berlin may reach too far. She argues that in 1 Kings there is a contrast between Bathsheba and Abishag (pg 27ff). This is certainly true. However, Berlin may read too much into Bathsheba’s character. She suggests that “one can feel a twinge of jealousy pass through Bathsheba as she silently notes the presence of a younger, fresher woman.” Whether the historical Bathsheba (oh my!) may or may not have felt jealous at the sight of Abishag is, of course, besides the point. I am not convinced by Berlin’s reasoning that Bathsheba is portrayed as feeling any jealousy. If anything, I think the repetitious mention of Abishag lying with David is more to highlight his own feebleness and lack of sexual prowess, in contrast to his earlier exploits with Bathsheba who now enters as the legitimate wife. Berlin mentions this interpretation, but seems more keen to perceive a reaction in Bathsheba that I am simply not convinced is in the text. Nevertheless, an endnote (pet peeve: I hate endnotes. Footnotes are superior in every way) directs the reader to Berlin’s comments about repetition in narrative on page 74.
On page 74, deep within chapter three, Berlin makes the interesting point that repetition of facts previously mentioned in the narrative serves to shift the point of view from that of the narrator to the “newly arrive character,” (pg. 74). This is an interesting proposal, and I look forward to reading chapter three which deals at length with point of view.
On the whole, I found chapter two to be interesting, and much of what Berlin proposes is easily verifiable. Aside from her desire to see more emotion in Bathsheba than I believe the narrative allows, the chapter is quite helpful. The final part of the chapter deals with characterization. Here Berlin provides a somewhat standard treatment, although the biblical examples she provides serve well to drive home the points she makes for biblicists.