KJV and Literary Influence

Question 1

Date published and completed.

Answer 1

1611

Question 2

Person who sponsored it.

Answer 2

James VI

Question 3

View of Alister McGrath

Answer 3

calls it one of the greatest influences on shaping the English language.
(suggests a very strong imprint on literary culture)

Question 4

William Tyndale

Answer 4

responsible for a large portion of the translation of the KJV however also had his own translation.
Tyndale wanted to make the Bible accessible to everyone so wrote it in a way that people would understand. He treated the translation not only as a sacred text, but a means for salvation.

Question 5

Aims of the KJV

Answer 5

To be as accurate as possible to replicate the original text as closely as possible - therefore used italics in instances where words were added in.
To make the Word of God as clear as possible.

Question 6

Influences of the KJV

Answer 6

Brought Hebrew idioms into English use
- "to set one's face against'
- 'far be it for me'
Tyndale coined the terms...
- "the salt of the Earth"
- "Passover"
- "a law unto themselves"

Question 7

Creative tensions of the KJV

Answer 7

between the beauty of the KJV and the message it is trying to say. Has lead to the Bible being used without much reverence when referenced in an outside text.

Question 8

Ways the KJV can be referenced

Answer 8

as an allusion, quotation or echo.

Most common = allusion, thematic approach. An example of this would be Emily Dickinson’s A Little East of Jordan (clear reference to Genesis 32). Also highlights the danger of allusion and literary inspiration as Emily Dickinson suggests Jacob is superior to his opponent.

Vaguest = echo. An example of this would be Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead. Mimics the style of the KJV without directly alluding to any direct passage or story in the Bible.

Question 9

View of Robert Alter

Answer 9

the KJV is a powerful tool for constructing the world around us.