Ancient Egyptian and Sumerian societies highlighted their cultures in a number of media. Literature became one symbolic means of expression through alluring poetry and epic. The following examples provide an explication of the cultural and societal beliefs of each ancient nation. The relative differences and similarities of each culture are also vital in creating a better relationship between each society.
The marriage of Nergal and Ereshkigal is a significant creation that narrates the myths of Mesopotamian gods. The dominant belief that emanates from this poem reflects on human sexuality and the alluvial relationship between different sexes. The goddess and the god that dominate in the poem emblematically portray the ancient feminine versus masculine traits of the community. The depictions of this poetic creation are crucial. It bears much semblance to the contrite enactments of suave fortresses. The celestial gods create a bilabial mimicry of the cultural allures evident in this community. The problems that originate from translations emerge in this poem. They portray the language structure of the people. A reader can notice elements such as, “Gatekeeper, open the gate to me! “(4:3) The parlance of Nergal ruling the underworld in utter pleasure protracts a love affair in the tendons of Sumerians. The poem displays the role of feminine and masculine forces in the love making process.
The Egyptian love poetry is a creation rich in literary stylistics. The special features in this poem portray poetic creation as one of the hegemonic riches of the Egyptian culture. Their environment became a critical source of representation through similes and metaphors. For instance, “like honey plunged into water/ Like an odor which penetrates spices” (2:2-3).
In the Egyptian culture, an intriguing aspect occurs when the man refer to the woman he loves as his sister. The woman also calls him brother. This may appear to confuse when a reader takes the journey through the poem for the first time.
The views of love and the bond between a man and woman as a step to becoming wiser are empirical and systematic to the three societies. The domestication of Enkiddu is intrinsic and archetypical to the nuances of a free man in the society. One wonders how the domestication occurred. The metaphoric allusion to sheep and wolves in the field is an environmentalist view on the fusion between poetry and surrounding.
Egyptian love poem is my favorite. The simple structures of the verses that contain instances of imagery are fascinating. The use of similes that borrow heavily from the environment creates an appealing piece that is alluring. For instanceseek your sister, Like the steed upon the battlefield (4:2). The use of sister and brother to symbolize sexual attachment is also unique to the cultures of Egyptians that redirect the reader response to elements of social relationships.
Works Cited
“Ancient Egyptian history and literature” http: www. /Egyptian-Love-Poetry.html Web. 16 Dec. 2012
“Book of Lamentations” http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt3001.htm Web. 16 Dec. 2012
“The Songs of Songs” http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt3201.htm web. 16 Dec. 2012
Budge, E A. W. Egyptian Tales and Legends: Pagan, Christian and Muslim. Mineola, N.Y. : [Newton Abbot: Dover Publications ; David & Charles, 2002. Print.
Fish, Thomas. Aspects of Sumerian Civilisation As Evidenced on Tablets in the John Ryland’s Library. Reprinted from the "bulletin of the John Ryland’s Library,” Etc. Manchester, 1934. Print.
Loprieno, Antonio. Ancient Egyptian Literature: History and Forms. Leiden Brill, 1996. Print.
