Literal vs. Allegorical Interpretation

Literal interpretation reads a text exactly as it is, understanding the words at face value, focusing on their direct meaning. Allegorical interpretation, on the other hand, looks beyond the literal words to find deeper symbolic or hidden meanings, often relating to moral, spiritual, or philosophical lessons. For example, a literal reading of “a lion” sees a real lion, while an allegorical reading might see the lion as a symbol of courage or strength. Both approaches offer valuable insights; literal emphasizes words’ explicit meaning, while allegorical explores underlying messages.