Ancient Egyptian Poetry
Things to Consider:
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History/Timeline
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Roles/Views of gods (mono- vs. polytheism)
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Repetition of images (i.e. Bull in Gilgamesh)
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Expression of desire/sexuality
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Animism
** Homework Questions**
Religious Poetry:
(from The Leiden Hymns, ca. 1238 B.C.)
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Do these poems express a monotheistic or polytheistic view? Explain.
"God is a master craftsman"
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How does God create himself?
"How Splendid You Ferry the Skyways"
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Who is Horus?
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Describe the relationship between the speaker and Horus. (see link on
phototropism )
"When Being Began Back in Days of the Genesis"
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How does God create himself? How is this version the same or different
from that found in "God is a Master Craftsman"?
Secular Poetry:
(ca. 1300-1100 B. C.)
"I Love a Girl"
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Explain: "Desire can soar in the wrench of this current, / rough
water be tame as my fields" (9-10).
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Explain: "My charming girl whispered water magic" (13).
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Explain: "She crowns the shore like a queen" (20).
"Whenever I Leave You"
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Explain: "Death must be lonely like I am" (2).
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Why does the speaker no longer enjoy datecakes and pomegranate wine?
Other Discussion Questions:
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Who is Hapi?
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What is animism?
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In "How Splendid You Ferry The Skyways," what is "diurnal shining"
(9)?
"Send Him Back"
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Who is the speaker?
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To whom is the speaker speaking?
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Who is "him"? Who is "Our Golden Lady"?
"Ho, What She's Done to Me"
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Describe the relationship between the speaker and "that girl."
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What does "catfoot" mean?
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