Characteristics of Egyptian Lit

CHARACTERISTICS OF
Egyptian Literature
What is Egyptian Literature?
• Egyptian literature is one of the main manifestations of the literary

world, since it is known as one of the first in humanity. The main
characteristic of Egyptian literature lies in the use of symbols and
figures, known today as hieroglyphs. These figures would allow the
inhabitants to identify elements and visually maintain different
elements that were part of their culture and daily activities.
Main characteristics of Egyptian
Literature
• Theme: one of the most important aspects of Egyptian literature is the variety of themes
that were found in the manifestations. One of the most recurrent themes was mythology,
as well as the customs of the inhabitants, the laws and some other guidelines of conduct
that they had to follow to become exemplary citizens. Thus, from the laws, later on, they
started with the creation of texts.
• Importance of mythology: another fundamental aspect of Egyptian literature was the
importance given to mythology, since the Egyptian gods became one of the most
important themes affecting the lives of the inhabitants in general. That is why issues such
as curses when the divine commandments were broken, as well as other consequences,
were one of the most developed issues in order to keep the inhabitants under control.
Literature
• Educational purpose: according to the themes that were developed, years later the need
to propose texts for educational purposes was born, which would facilitate the transfer of
knowledge to other inhabitants.
• Material used: the first thing the Egyptians used for writing were chisels to carve on the
stones, although they also used the calamus, a cut reed similar to a paintbrush. For this
they used pigments such as ochre, a mineral, and carbon black. Mainly hemp was used
for the subsequent writing on papyrus, however the latter, with the passage of time, came
to have a high cost.
Literature
• Funerary processes: this practice will be substantial for the literary development,
because from the beliefs and activities, funeral poems begin to be written, which are
considered the first texts of religious literature, as well as another series of poems in order
to exalt the achievements obtained in life, hymns and songs to the gods, manifestations
that remained on the walls of the temples.
• Writers: those who dedicated themselves to the activity of writing were known as scribes,
a social group in charge of transmitting, canonizing, storing and writing literary texts.
However, they were not the only ones who knew the art of writing and reading texts; there
was another group of people who, although they were not part of the profession, could
also read and had access to texts, often people from the upper social classes.
Egyptian Love
Poetry
Egyptian Love Poetry from the New Kingdom
• There are numerous Egyptian Love Poetry from this period of ancient
Egyptian history.
• The love poems from this period illustrate much of the lives and
attitudes of the Egyptians and also influenced other civilizations and
races, notably the Hebrews whose own love poetry bear a close
resemblance.
The Flower Song
To hear your voice If I could just be the washerman

is pomegranate wine to me: doing her laundry for one month only,
I draw life from hearing it. I would be faithful to pick up the bundles,
Could I see you with every glance, Sturdy to beat clean the heavy linens,
It would be better for me But gentle to touch those finespun things
Than to eat or to drink. lying closest the body I love.
I would rinse with pure water the perfumes
that linger still in her tunics,
And I’d dry my own flesh with the towels
she yesterday held to her face.
The touch of her clothes, their textures,
her softness in them . . . Thank god for the body,
its youthful vigor!
The Flower Song
And I'd say, standing there tall in I wish I were your mirror so that you
the shallows: always looked at me.
Look at my fish, love, how it lies in I wish I were your garment so that you
my hand, would always wear me.
How my fingers caress it, slip I wish I were the water that washes your
down its sides . . . body.
But then I'd say softer, eyes I wish I were the unguent, O woman, that I
bright with your seeing: could anoit you.
A gift, love. No words. Come closer And the band around your breasts, and the
and look, beads around your neck.
it's all me.
The Flower Song
Egyptian Love Poetry was full of reference to the River Nile culture,
Ancient Egypt was particularly a great civilization, and the significance of the
contribution of the river Nile to its development (still the largest river in the world)
cannot be overlooked.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF

• Egyptian literature is one of the main manifestations of the literary

To hear your voice If I could just be the washerman

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