Considerations on the development of Egyptian pessimistic literature in the Middle Kingdom

Abstract

We will consider the development of the so-called Pessimistic Literature, unique due to its content and its messages, was characterized by showing a chaotic world where ideals, values and Earth's order were altered. We witness the first texts that set out a distorted view of the order in order to show what life would be like without a strong State that orders and organizes society as a whole. We are going to study The Admonitions of Ipuwer, The Dispute of a man with his ba, The Prophecy of Neferty and The Lamentations of Khakheperrasnebu