Joseph and Aseneth: An Entertaining Tale

Abstract

This article argues that whatever else Joseph and Aseneth is and for whatever other reason that it might have been written, the narrative is an entertaining tale. The starting point for this thesis is an assessment of the extent to which Joseph and Aseneth can be characterized as “fan fiction.” The article suggests that because both fan fiction and Joseph and Aseneth are “archontic,” fan theory can profitably inform Joseph and Aseneth. This theory is then applied to Joseph and Aseneth to throw new light on the motivation for which Joseph and Aseneth was written, specifically suggesting that, like fan fiction, the narrative is the result of the simultaneous adoration of and frustration with a specific cultural text, namely the Joseph Cycle. The article further contends that the narrative makes extensive use of irony, humor, and adventure as it displays various tendencies of fan fiction.