EGYPTIAN LITERATUREBy Ma. Rachel C. Duncil

EGYPTOfficial name:Arab Republic of EgyptCapital: CairoPopulation: 54.6

millionCurrency: Egyptian

PoundOfficial Language:

Arabic

EGYPTIAN LITERATURE

• Wide variety of types and subject matter.• Old Kingdom• Middle Kingdom• New Kingdom

THE HIEGROLYPHICS

• Oldest form• Line drawings• Ideas and objects.

HIERATIC SYMBOL

Simpler than Hieroglyphics.

DEMOTIC SYMBOL

• Used in commercial documents

OLD KINGDOMPyramid text:• Non-literary• High-poetic spells

OLD KINGDOM

Cannibal Text:Represents dead kings.

OLD KINGDOM

PROVERBS OF PTAHOTEP:• Book of sound.• Wordly advice.

MIDDLE KINGDOM:

Tale of Sinuhe:• Flight of refugee

courtier.• His political

reasons.• Exile and

homecoming.

MIDDLE KINGDOM

SHIPWRECKED SAILOR:Sailor who meets an old

fatherly in an island.

KING CHEOPS AND THE MAGICIANS

Several folk tales in a frame work story.

NEW KINGDOM

Style of writing changed.

NEW KINGDOM

The Story of King Apophis and SeqenenreThe Tale of Two BrothersHymn to the SunContending of Horus and Seth

NEW KINGDOM

Hymn to the SunContending of Horus and Seth

Late Period

Written in Demotic

Late Period

The Lamentation of Isis and Nepthys and SetnaThe Magic Book

TYPES OF EGYPTIAN LITERATURE

RELIGIOUS LITERATURE

Predominates in Egypt.Priests were the only one who can write an

make records.

TALES IN EGYPT

Life of Sanehat (Sinuhe)Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor

WISDOM LITERATURE

Looked at the codes of behavior and ethical values.

Express kindness and good judgment.

The Wisdom of PtahhotepThe Wisdom of Amenemope

Pessimistic Literature

One of the forms that blossomed during Middle Kingdom.

Dialogue of a Pessimist with His SoulAdministion of an Egyptian Sage

LOVE SONGS

Run easily into english versePrincess Mutardis:One who has the most charming bridal song.

POETRYI.

To whom should I speak today?

Brothers are evil;

The friends of today love not.

II.

To whom should I speak today?

Hearts are covetous;

Every man plundereth the goods of his fellow.

III.

To whom should I speak today?

The peaceful man is in evil case;

Good is cast aside everywhere.

IV.

To whom should I speak today?

Yesterday is forgotten;

Me do not as they were done by nowadays.

V.To whom should I speak today?There is no heart of manWhereon one might lean.VI.To whom should I speak today?The righteous are no more;The land is given over to evil-doers.VII.To whom should I speak today?There is a lack of confidants;Men have recourse to a stranger to tell their t

roubles.VIII.To whom should I speak today?I am laden with misery,And am without a comforter.

He Walketh by Day by Robert Hillyer

He Walketh By DayRobert Hillyer

I am Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,

The Divine Hidden Soul who created the gods,

And who feedeth the blessed.

I am the Lord of the Risers from Death.

Whose Forms are the lamps in the House of the Dead,

Whose Shrine is the Earth.

When the sky is illuminated with crystals,Then gladden my road and broaden my

pathAnd clothe me in light.

Keep me safe from the Sleeper in Darkness,When eventide closeth by the eyes of the

godAnd the door by the wall.

In the dawn I have opened the Sycamore;My form is the form of all women and

men,My spirit is God.

Thank You