Akhenaten. "Hymn to the Sun". Study Questions.

    Stanza One
  1. List the adjectives for the sun that seem to treat it as a powerful being?
  2. What is the relationship between the sun and Akhenaten?
  3. How is the closeness of the sun to his creation expressed?
    4. Stanza Two
  4. What is the earth like in the absence of the sun at night? What would the earth be like without the sun?
  5. What happens on earth in darkness or night?
    6. Stanza Three
  6. How is the idea of the sun as a protector of his creation expressed?
  7. How is the greatfulness of the sun's creations expressed?
    8. Stanza Four
  8. This stanza expresses the relationship between nature and the sun. Describe how the sun takes care of the natural world.
    9. Stanza Five
  9. This stanza describes the creation of each human and the various stages in the creation.
  10. What do you think "the life-giving drops" refers to?
  11. How is man's destiny determined?
    12. Stanza Six
  12. The image of the "chick" in this stanza stand for humans, but also for all living creatures created by the sun.
  13. What do yhou think the line "And you have allotted him his set time" refers to?
    14. Stanza Seven
  14. What are the attributes of the sun in this stanza? In what way is this a description of a monotheistic belief? Provide specific examples.
    15. Stanza Eight
  15. This stanza indicates that there is an order in the sun's creation, that everything was created for a specific purpose. Can you provide some examples?
    16. Stanzas Nine and Ten
  16. This stanza describes the sun as a loving caregiver and provider for all of his creation. He nourishes all that he has made. Provide some examples.
  17. In what way is teh sun described as a servant of his creation?
    18. Stanza Eleven
  18. How does stanza Eleven build upon, expand upon, and summarize the other stanzas?
  19. How does the sun reveal himslef?
  20. In what way is a monotheistic belief expressed in this stanza?
    21. Stanza Twelve
  21. This stanza desribes the relationship between the sun and Akhenaten. What is the relationship between the sun and Akhenaten as king? What relationship does Akhenaton have with Aten?  What do you think might be the political implications of this relationship?