The Great Hymn To The Aten Analysis

Amy Cao

Professor Arlene Caney

Humanities 101

21 October 2016

The Individual’s Perception Dependent Upon One’s Society Humanities is the plural form of humanity which collectively describes all humans. Humanities focus on cultural differences and societal differences. The innumerous human societies are composed of various cultures with their own religion. With religion, comes social norms and laws. It is these aspects that makes one society different from another, which ultimately forms its humanities. The people of Mesopotamia, of Egypt, and of Ancient Israel are all part of a society with its own humanities. How is an individual portrayed in a society? An individual is defined by one’s history, culture, religion, laws, and art. The individual

The Egyptians were polytheistic and had multiple gods. In “The Great Hymn to the Aten,” Aten is seen as the creator of life which is synonymous of god. A hymn is like a prayer. The great hymn to the Aten can be defined as a religious prayer to Aten. It states, “You made the earth as you wished, you alone, All peoples, herds, and flocks; All upon earth that walk on legs, All on high that fly on wings” (The Great Hymn to the Aten 49). The particular individual who had written this hymn worships the god, Aten. The individual discusses how Aten created earth, along with everything on earth. Aten, “You set every man in his place, You supply their needs… For you distinguished the peoples” (The Great Hymn to the Aten 49). Religion plays an important role in Egyptian culture. As seen from “The Great Hymn to the Aten,” people believed that God controlled their lives and had placed them there for a reason. In the “Instructions of P’tah Hotep” Hotep teaches his son, “Do not boast because of what happened to you in the past. Be not miserly with your wealth, which has come to you by god’s gift. You are no different from another” (Instructions of P’tah Hotep 47). One’s future is God’s intention. If you gained money or fame, be happy that god had gifted that to you. The concept of God is brought up again. The “Negative Confessions” were written confessions from people to God. Inferring from the title, these confessions should have a negative connotation. Several confession states, “Hail… I have not acted deceitfully” (Negative Confessions 47). This person has not tricked any one or lied to anyone. Another confession states, “Hail… I have not committed theft” (Negative Confessions 47). There is a recurring theme in these confessions. Instead of confessing sins, the Egyptians were trying to convince God that they have not done anything wrong. Confessing “Hail… I have not purloined the things which belong unto God” (Negative Confessions 47) is