Invoking Egypt: The Representation of Ancient Egypt in Western Literature

By MOHAMMED M FAHMY RAIYAH and Abeer S Kamel

Discover how the image of the mummy evolved from comic and romantic stories to the terrifying, wandering monsters of the 20th century. The first chapter tracks the mummy's shifting symbolism - from harmless preservation to menacing figure - a journey across genres and time periods.The second chapter explores the depiction of Pharaoh Akhenaten in works by Savitri Devi, especially her 1948 play Akhnaton. A fervent supporter of Nazism and Adolf Hitler, Devi portrays Akhenaten as an Aryan hero and a preacher of a nature-based religion, linking ancient Egypt to racial and environmental ideologies.Chapter 3 deals with Gwendolyn Macewen's novel King of Egypt, King of Dreams, a gripping study of Akhenaten's inner turmoil and tragic downfall, vividly portrayed with raw emotional power.Chapter 4 deals with Shelley's engagement with Egypt through the lenses of Egyptomania, Orientalism, and esotericism. Through Egyptian symbols, Shelley delves into his thematic preoccupations, expressing his disdain for warfare, vehement opposition of religious dogma, and his scathing critiques of tyranny. Egypt, with its iconic pyramids, sphinxes, and other monumental structures, assumes a dual role in Shelley's poetry, serving as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of human accomplishments and a symbol of Oriental despotism.The last two chapters explore how Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra reflects Elizabethan ideas about Egypt. Explore how the Bard framed Cleopatra's legend within the cosmology and politics of his time. Shakespeare's Cleopatra is depicted as deeply rooted in the Egyptian landscape, her identity shaped and defined by the natural elements of her homeland. Sharing the qualities of the Nile, the fertile soil, and Egypt's flora and fauna, Cleopatra ultimately emerges as the embodiment of Egypt itself, rising from the very mud of the Nile and embodying a profound unity with Egypt's land and its elemental forces. The play's alchemical allusions reflect Shakespeare's absorption of the occult traditions of his time and his manipulation of that knowledge to serve his superb dramatic art.

Why Read This Book?

Delve into the captivating presence of Ancient Egypt in Western literature, from iconic plays and poems to compelling novels and short stories. This book offers an engaging exploration of how Western authors across diverse periods have interpreted and reimagined Egypt.Discover how Egypt's image has been reshaped for various purposes, including propaganda and ideological movements, ranging from Nazi symbolism to Afrocentric reclamation.Explore how Egyptian symbols, characters, and themes reflect a spectrum of emotions, from admiration to fear, across different eras. Understand the shifting perceptions of Egypt-from a land of profound wisdom and enigmatic mystery to a place of perceived danger, decadence, and intrigue.Perfect for history enthusiasts, literature aficionados, and pop culture lovers, this book provides a fascinating perspective on the reinterpretation and the occasional misuse of Egypt's ancient allure throughout history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9779528393
• ISBN13: 9789779528397
• Release Date: June 2025
• Publisher: Obelisk Books
• Length: 236 Pages
• Weight: 0.71 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"