Making a Drama Out of a Crisis? A Consideration of the Book of Job as a Drama

Abstract

Has the author of the book of Job made a drama out of a crisis? If so, what type of drama is it, and from which dramatic/theatrical traditions?And what insights does such a reading offer? The book of Job certainly deals with conflict at the very deepest levels of being-and conflict lies at the heart of drama. Moreover, such a reading is supported by a consideration of the book's overarching structure. Dramatic StructureMany scholars see at least two separate parts to the book of Job: a framework, originating as an independent narrative (1-2; 42.7-17), and an extended dialogue in poetic form (3.1-42.6). Habel, however, argues for the structural integrity of Job: taking a literary approach, he describes three 'movements', each of which is a 'poetic dialogue framed by narration', 'each with its own appropriate introduction of key characters'. 1 While generally following Habel's analysis, I would suggest that the structure of the book of Job is essentially dramatic, being divided into three 'acts': * This article was originally written as part of an MTh course at University College, Chester.