Close Reading Analysis and Reflection on Origin Stories: Hieroglyphs of the Cannibal Hymn
Overview
This reflection paper analyzes the Cannibal Hymn through van den Dungen's translation, examining the pharaoh's disrespect for life-givers and his divine claims. The student critiques the pharaoh's brainwashing of the Egyptian people and questions how a non-supernatural leader could command worship while consuming other gods, arguing that those who challenged him were labeled enemies rather than recognized as truth-seekers.
What this reflection paper covers
- Introduction on life as sacred and the pharaoh's lack of respect for parents
- Analysis of religious propaganda and the pharaoh's claimed divinity
- Critical examination of how the pharaoh consumed other gods and maintained control through manipulation
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Close Reading Analysis and Reflection on Origin Stories; Hieroglyphs of the Cannibal Hymn
Life is a sacred gift. History teaches us to respect the givers of life because at all times. It is the reason some religious books like the Bible advises people to respect their fathers and mothers (Morrow, 23). Pharaoh was mighty. He dictated Egyptians' lives and even made them believe that he was a god, but he did not respect anybody, including his parents.
In the hymn, van den Dungen says that PharaohPharaoh is "A god who lives on his fathers and feeds on his mothers” (p 1). This statement means that PharaohPharaoh lacked respect for anyone but disrespected even the people who gave birth to him. Page 2 states that Pharaoh'sPharaoh's mother did not even know his name. These are uncommon scenarios, and an average person will ask several rhetorical questions. How does a person, or a god for this matter, be distanced from the person who gave him life. It is not possible for a mother not to know the name of her child. The Bible, for example, mentions Mary, the mother of Jesus, but we do not see a place where Jesus despises her or even fails to recognize her.
The hymn was composed when respect was a one-way valve, and the leaders did not have to reciprocate it. This explains the position of PharaohPharaoh. However, it is astonishing how Pharaoh'sPharaoh's leadership brainwashed people to the extent of worshipping him.