The Culture of Ancient Egypt in The Cantos by Ezra Pound

Abstract

The article examines various types of references to the culture of Ancient Egypt in the poem The Cantos by E. Pound. Examples of allusions, quotations, and references to historical figures in Canto V, Canto XVII, Canto XXXIX, and Canto XCIII are examined. It is noted that the later cycles of the poem – Rock Drill de los Cantares LXXXV–XCV (1953–1956) and Thrones de los Cantares XCVI–CIX (1959) – are  richer in Egyptian intertext than the early, prewar ones. The significance of references to Egyptian culture in the context of each of the poem's songs is analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the mention of the goddess Hathor in Canto XXXIX and the quotation written in hieroglyphs at the beginning of Canto XCIII. An attempt is made to interpret the symbols included in the quotation and to reflect its historical context associated with the names of the mentioned rulers of Egypt. Conclusions are made about the nature of the connection between Egyptian realities and ancient Greek sources and the Neoplatonic issues inherent in the whole poem.