The Lothair Crystal and the Ideal of Justice Pt. 2

Susannah and the Elders, Gerrit van Honthorst (early 17th century)

There are so many paintings that depict Susannah's fateful "encounter" with the elders in the orchard of her husband. It was hard to choose; they are all so riveting. Look for yourselves and choose the painting that speaks for you... I can't say why this one in particular spoke to me, but there it is.

So, let's continue this conversation about the perversion of justice as we have it in the apocryphal story of Susannah at the end of the book of Daniel.

First, because I'm not a feminist scholar I must, out of ignorance, put aside for the moment the Feminist critique of this tale. I welcome any and all contributions in that vein.

As I see it this is a radical tale. Venerable elders, judges no less, attempt to violate a just woman, and with that, pervert Justice itself. Their plot is foiled by Susannah in her defiance at risk of self-sacrifice and by the intervention of a young man, who comes on the scene, deus ex machina as it were, turns the trial against the Elders, and reveals their perfidious intent. The Elders, erstwhile purveyors of "justice," are condemned to death instead of Susannah and innocent blood is saved. The message is clear: the Elders, the embodiment of an entrenched justice system, may be perverse, and we the readers must be wary of this. It might be that the young, the unknown, without pedigree, will set the scales of justice right once more. Not only that, but it requires wisdom and restraint, and penetrating examination to adjudicate in the proper manner. We are, as the text assumes, too easily persuaded by authority, pedigree and age, that we fail to protect the innocent and persecuted, even a woman of good repute.