Hatshepsut His Majesty Herself Analysis

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In “Hatshepsut: His Majesty, Herself”, by Catherine Andronik, she informs the reader about Hatshepsut and her role as an effective female pharaoh in ancient Egypt. One supporting detail proving her leadership was when she acted as a regent, an adult who can take control of the country. Another detail that supports the fact that Hatshepsut was an effective leader is in paragraph 11 where the text states, “ She appointed officials and advisors, dealt with the priests; appeared in public ceremonies first behind, then beside, and eventually in front of her nephew.” this quote explains that because Hatshepsut’s nephew, Tuthmosis III, was too young to be a powerful ruler, Hatshepsut, who was second in command, ended up doing everything for him. Hatshepsut …show more content…

Before Hatshepsut, there were other woman who attempted to rule over Egypt. Every time a woman came to power, there was some sort of problem that was left for them to solve. Unlike Hatshepsut, the other woman did not have any confidence to name themselves pharaoh and they did not grow up in the royal family like Hatshepsut did. In paragraph 13, it states, “A few women had tried to rule Egypt before, but never would search valid claim to the throne,” and, “These women had not ruled long or well and neither had had the audacity to proclaim herself pharaoh.” These quotes explain that Hatshepsut was recognized for taking power at a good time and not stepping …show more content…

Hatshepsut was bold because while she was her nephew, Tuthmosis III’s regent, she gathered power and influence to unexpectedly name herself pharaoh. In paragraph eleven, it states, “Gradually, over seven years, her power and influence grew. In the end, Hatshepsut was ruling Egypt in all but name.” In addition to this quote, in paragraph twelve, it states, “...Hatshepsut took a bold and unprecedented step: She had herself crowned pharaoh with the large, heavy, red-and-white double crown of the two Egypts…” These quotes explain that Hatshepsut knew that her nephew was too young to be effective and used this to her advantage. Hatshepsut was also bold because she did not want to break the tradition of a male. Instead of dressing as a woman, Hatshepsut appeared as a man in public and took the name of Maatkare. In paragraph fourteen, it states, “She was concerned with preserving and continuing traditional order as much as possible, so to the people of Egypt she made herself look like a man in her role as pharaoh.” This quote supports that Hatshepsut was aware that she broke the men as pharaoh tradition, but wanted people to take her seriously and continued to dress as a man so it did not seem like she was a woman. Despite her dressing as a man, Hatshepsut continued her feminine delights. In paragraph sixteen, it states, “Hatshepsut might have had to look and act like a man in public, but she never gave up feminine pleasures.”

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