Physical characterization in ancient Egyptian narrative literature

Descriptions of characters’ physical appearance are an integral part of characterization in literary writing. Ancient Egyptian authors were highly economical in the use of such descriptions. When such passages were inserted in their stories, they functioned as literary devices contributing to characterization, as well as moving the narrative plot forward and helping the audience understand better the characters’ actions. In this essay I identify references to literary characters’ physical

appearance and attire in a corpus of selected Egyptian narratives, such as the Tales of Wonder 

and the story of Sinuhe, and I examine them as stylistic elements of Egyptian narrative writing, against the background of Literary Theory. Through this study I attempt to shed some light onto the ways in which Egyptian narratives were composed and appealed to their ancient audiences.