Absalom and Achitophel

by

John Dryden

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Absalom and Achitophel makes teaching easy.
Egypt is a metaphor for France in Dryden’s “Absalom and Achitophel.” Like many members of the Sanhedrin, the Pharaoh of Egypt pretends to be David’s friend, but Egypt is really exploiting Israel through dishonest trade practices.
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Egypt Term Timeline in Absalom and Achitophel

The timeline below shows where the term Egypt appears in Absalom and Achitophel. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Absalom and Achitophel
Politics, Allegory, and Satire Theme Icon
God, Religion, and the Divine Right of Kings Theme Icon
...lies to please “fools” and confuse the “wise.” The Jebusites worship the same gods as Egypt, but with odds of “ten to one” in Israel, the Jebusites get little support from... (full context)
Politics, Allegory, and Satire Theme Icon
God, Religion, and the Divine Right of Kings Theme Icon
...once was, Achitophel maintains, and the Jews deserve better. David has few friends, except for Egypt’s Pharaoh, and the assistance of a foreign power will only make David less popular among... (full context)
Politics, Allegory, and Satire Theme Icon
God, Religion, and the Divine Right of Kings Theme Icon
Power and Ambition Theme Icon
...wishes that he could suffer on their behalf. Their freedom is at stake, he says. Egypt and Tyrus are threatening their trade, and the Jebusites are threatening their religion. Absalom claims... (full context)