The Performing Arts in Egypt
The natural history of the Grand Opera is the evolution of the primitive trial-by-ordeal of criminals. Today we limit cruel and unusual punishment. In the ancient world, sadistic pleasure was taken in the screams of the tortured. Playwrights memorialized real court battles in ritual, eventually staged as formal plays. Examples supporting this theory are countless, both historically, and in the arts. The one cited here is a very, very old production from Egypt, a stylized court drama, with dramatic and interpretive possibilities for actors:
... what is the synopsis of the ancient Egyptian tale of the peasant and the workman;
The Peasant and the Workman
The ancient Egyptian tale of the Peasant and the Workman is a story that highlights the social and economic disparities in ancient Egypt. It is the story of a peasant who is traveling to Henen-seten and encounters a workman who obstructs his path, leading to a crime. The peasant, Khun-Anup, seeks justice but finds it challenging due to the workman's social connections. The tale is set in the Ninth or Tenth Dynasty around Herakleopolis, and addresses the difficulty common people faced in obtaining justice against those with higher social status
The story begins with the peasant traveling to market with goods for exchange. Along the way, he encounters Tehuti-nekht, a vassal of the high steward Rensi, who obstructs the path, making it nearly impossible for the peasant to pass without stepping on a shawl spread across the narrow tow path. This obstruction, analogous to a modern toll, leads to the peasant's subsequent attempts to seek justice, which are thwarted by the workman's low social status
The Plot and Characters
The Peasant (Khun-Anup)
The protagonist of the tale is a peasant named Khun-Anup, who is described as a Sekhti, or a farmer. Khun-Anup is a poor but honest man who makes his living by trading goods such as salt, natron, and rushes. He is on a journey to Henenseten to sell his goods and purchase supplies for his family. Khun-Anup is characterized by his eloquence and moral integrity, which become central to the plot
The Workman (Tehuti-nekht)
The antagonist is a workman named Tehuti-nekht, also known as The Workman, son of Asri. Tehuti-nekht is a serf of the High Steward Meruitensa and is described as a Hemti, or a client of the noble. He is a greedy and corrupt individual who sees an opportunity to rob from Khun-Anup. Tehuti-nekht's actions set the conflict in motion
The High Steward (Meruitensa)
The High Steward Meruitensa is a powerful noble who oversees the region. He is the patron of Tehuti-nekht and the ultimate authority who can dispense justice. Meruitensa's role is crucial, as Khun-Anup must find a way to bring his case to the High Steward's attention to seek justice
The Conflict
Khun-Anup's journey takes him through the lands of the house of Fefa, where he encounters Tehuti-nekht. Tehuti-nekht, seeing Khun-Anup's donkeys and their load of goods, is tempted to steal from him. To create an opportunity, Tehuti-nekht spreads a shawl across the narrow tow-path, which is the only way for Khun-Anup to pass. The path is flanked by water on one side and a cornfield on the other, making it impossible for Khun-Anup to avoid stepping on the shawl without causing damage
When Khun-Anup attempts to pass, Tehuti-nekht accuses him of damaging the shawl and demands compensation. Khun-Anup, being an honest man, protests his innocence, but Tehuti-nekht seizes the opportunity to seize Khun-Anup's goods. This act sets the stage for Khun-Anup's quest for justice
The Quest for Justice
Khun-Anup, having lost his goods and facing the loss of his livelihood, decides to seek justice from the High Steward Meruitensa. However, obtaining justice in ancient Egypt was not easy, especially for a peasant. The legal system was often biased in favor of the wealthy and powerful, and peasants had to find extraordinary means to attract the attention of the authorities
Khun-Anup's eloquence is his greatest asset. He delivers a series of eloquent speeches, each more powerful than the last, in an attempt to move the High Steward and gain his attention. These speeches are not only a plea for justice but also critical of the social and legal system of the time. Khun-Anup's words are so compelling that they eventually reach the High Steward, who is moved by the peasant's eloquence and moral integrity
* The Power of Eloquence
Khun-Anup's eloquence is a central theme in the tale. His speeches are not only a means of seeking justice but also a demonstration of the power of refined speech and writing. The story suggests that eloquence can be a tool for social change and a way to bridge the gap between the oppressed and the powerful
* Ethical Order and Refined Speech
The tale is often interpreted as a reflection on the connection between ethical order and refined speech. It suggests that true eloquence is not just about the ability to speak well but also about the moral and ethical principles that underlie one's words. Khun-Anup's speeches are a model of ethical and moral discourse, and they ultimately lead to the restoration of justice
The Resolution
The High Steward, impressed by Khun-Anup's speeches, orders an investigation into the matter. Tehuti-nekht is brought to trial, and his theft is exposed. Khun-Anup is finally granted justice, and his goods are returned to him. The High Steward also rewards Khun-Anup for his eloquence and moral courage, recognizing the importance of justice and the power of speech in maintaining social order
... the tale has something for everyone justice for the common people and a plot twist for aristocrats in the prolonging of khun-anup's plea because they enjoy his eloquence;
You are absolutely right. "The Tale of the Peasant and the Workman" (also known as "The Eloquent Peasant") is a rich and multifaceted story that offers something for everyone. It not only addresses the theme of justice for the common people but also includes a plot twist that involves the aristocrats' enjoyment of the peasant's eloquence. Khun-Anup, undaunted, begins a series of eloquent speeches to the officials, appealing for fairness and righteousness. Eventually, his persistence and eloquence reach the High Steward, who orders an investigation. Tehuti-nekht is held accountable, and Khun-Anup is rewarded for his moral integrity and eloquence.
The High Steward and other aristocrats are initially un-moved by Khun-Anup's eloquence. However, they become so captivated by his speeches that they deliberately prolong the process of granting him justice. They send him away multiple times, each time expecting his return, and to hear more of his eloquent words. This prolonging creates dramatic conflict. While the aristocrats are entertained, Khun-Anup continues to suffer. Ironically, the aristocrats are not immune to the beauty and power of eloquent speech, and despite the cruelty of delaying justice for Khun-Anup, take pleasure in Khun-Anup's “performance,” which adds a layer of complexity to the story.
... incidentally anup in the name khun anup refers to Anubis the dog headed god of Egypt satirizing him as a person of low class;
The name "Anup" is derived from the Egyptian name for Anubis, the god of mummification and the afterlife. The name "Khun-Anup" can be interpreted as "protected by Anubis," reflecting the belief in Anubis as a protector and arbiter of justice, and the bringer-to-justice of souls in the afterlife. In the context of the story, Khun-Anup is indeed a low-class individual, a peasant, who uses his eloquence and persistence to appeal for justice. It is an ancient telling of themes of social justice and the importance of standing up against injustice, even when one is of a lower social status, and of justice ultimately prevailing