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EGYPTIAN DIDACTIC TALE(c. 1937-1759 B.C.)from Dialogue of a Man with His Soul | The Ethics of Suicide Digital Archive

ethicsofsuicide.lib.utah.edu · 3,285 words · saved by 1 readers

The didactic tale “Dialogue of a Man With His Soul,” also referred to as “A Debate Between a Man Tired of Life and His Soul” or “A Dispute over Suicide,” is believed to have been composed sometime during the 12th Dynasty (1937–1759 B.C.) of the Middle Kingdom in Egypt (2040–1759 B.C.), probably toward its end. The only copy of the papyrus scroll that survived is incomplete: the beginning of the text is missing and numerous lacunae make this text very difficult to translate, inviting sharp differences in interpretation. While scholars do not agree about the overall meaning of this masterpiece of the Egyptian literature, almost all, if not all, do agree that a man is tired of his life and is expressing his wish to go to the West, to the afterlife. His ba, most commonly translated as “soul,” is not willing to help him.

EGYPTIAN DIDACTIC TALE(c. 1937-1759 B.C.)from Dialogue of a Man with His Soul | The Ethics of Suicide Digital Archive This site has been archived and is not updated. If you need assistance, please contact Allyson Mower at allyson.mower@utah.edu The Ethics of Suicide Digital Archive Skip to content Consulting Editors Table of Contents Introduction Notes on the Preparation of this Edition Buy the Book Navigate and Search the Archive Comment on a Selection Submit a Correction Suggest New Material Contact the Archive’s Librarian A Library/Press Partnership NEW ENTRIES INDEX An Interview with

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