Egyptian Love Poems

Egyptian Love Poems

• The earliest examples of love poetry were made by the ancient Egyptians and were preserved in stone and on an ancient form of paper called papyrus.
• A man by the name of Chester Beatty discovered a group of biblical manuscripts which contained written documentation of love poems thought to be from the ancient Egyptian period.
• This group of ancient love poetry manuscripts were named the Beatty Papyrus I.

Ancient Love

If I am [Not] with you, where will you set your heart?

If I am not with you, where will you set your heart?

If you do not embrace me, where will you go?

If good fortune comes your way, you still cannot find happiness. But if you try to touch my thighs and breasts, Then you'll be satisfied. Because you remember you are hungry would you then leave? Are you a man thinking only of his stomach? Would you walk off from me concerned with your stylish clothes and leave me the sheet? Because of hunger would you then leave me? or because you are thirsty? Take then my breast: for you its gift overflows. Better indeed is one day in your arms... than a hundred thousand anywhere on earth.

page 121-122

vs. Modern Love

Conclusion

People of ancient times were no different emotionally than we are today.

Some of their poems and writings were more explicit than others but the message was exactly the same. They expressed their love for one another in an deeply visual way lyrically. We can say that ancient Egyptians are the founders of love poetry and created the very first love songs which is a creative outlet that is still being written thousands of years later.

"Sexual Healing"

Marvin Gaye

Ooh baby, I'm hot just like an oven

I need some lovin'

And baby, I can't hold it much longer

It's getting stronger and stronger

And when I get that feeling

I want sexual healing

Sexual healing, oh baby

Makes me feel so fine

Helps to relieve my mind

Sexual healing baby, is good for me

Sexual healing is something that's good for me

Whenever blue teardrops are fallin'

And my emotional stability is leaving me

There is something I can do

I can get on the telephone and call you up baby

• Both pieces describe a man's desire for a woman's love.
• They also describe pleasing a woman and tending to her every need.

Afraid to Love Again Dolly Parton

• Both pieces describe a women being afraid to love.
• They both describe love as being elusive.
• They describe the chase and pain of love.

If every time that you got hurt it left a scar

And if every dream you ever had broke your heart

If every time you made a plan the world came to an end

Then you'd know why I'm afraid to love again

If broken dreams are all it seems you've ever known

And hurt's the only thing you can depend upon

And if you should find misery to be your only friend

Then you'd know why I'm afraid to love again.

I Embrace Her

I embrace her, and her arms open wide, I am like a man in Punt, like someone overwhelmed with drugs. I kiss her, her lips open, and I am drunk without a beer.

page 124

"Everything I Do"

Bryan Adams

Please Come Quick to the Lady Love

Please come quick to the lady love like a gazelle

running in the desert

its feet are wounded

its limbs are exhausted

fear penetrates its body

the hunters are after it

the hounds are with them

they cannot see

because of the dust

its see its rest place like a mirage

it takes a canal as its road.

Before you have kissed your hand four times, you shall have reached her hideaway as you chase the lady love. For it is the Golden Goddess who has set her aside for you, friend.

page 125

• Both pieces depict a man overwhelmed with passion towards a woman he loves.
• They both describe their love using specific body parts which are used in making love.
• The men feel as though they are nothing without the woman they love.

Look into my eyes - you will seeWhat you mean to meSearch your heart, search your soulAnd when you find me there you'll search no moreDon't tell me it's not worth tryin' forYou can't tell me it's not worth dyin' forYou know it's trueEverything I do - I do it for you