The Instruction Of The Vizier Ptah-Hotep Analysis

When reading The Instruction of the Vizier Ptah-Hotep and The Instruction of Ani you can find several glimpses into what was viewed as important in the ancient Egyptian society. Family relationships are discussed several times within both texts, detailing not only the relationship between husband and wife but also the relationship between father and son, mother and son, and ultimately son and his own children. It appears that overall, even though the father remains head of the house, a relationship of general respect between all parties is expected. While the levels of respect granted to each individual of the family vary, as long as each person is doing their required part in the house, they will gain respect. It is only when one steps …show more content…
First the passage speaks of a good relationship, where the son honors and listens to his father. In this relationship, the son pleases the gods, shows off the good manners that are expected of him, and performs the actions that are required of him. In this case, “He is thy son, whom thy ka engendered for thee. Thou [the father] shoudst not cut thy heart off from him.” The passage also emphasizes the importance of lessons passed down from father to son, saying “How good it is when a son accepts what his father says! Thereby maturity comes to him.” Not only is it good when a son listens to his father, but “If a son accepts what his father says, no project of his miscarries.” This leads us to assume that the father’s word held ultimate power, and that the father was seen as being always right or all knowing, thus gaining the highest level of respect in the …show more content…
Sons are to respect and listen to their fathers, lest they bring shame and be cast aside. Sons are to remember the care their mothers provided for them in infancy, and care for them accordingly. Sons are to teach their children the knowledge that they learned from their own father, giving their children respect by granting them knowledge. Husbands should recall how much happier they are with their wives, and “How happy it [their life] is when thy hand is with her!” In this way each member of the family acknowledges the other, and in their own way grants them respect. The passages recognize that the family, as a whole, cannot perform at its best without the workings of each member, whether it be contributing knowledge, care, or conducting