Akhenaten Dweller In Truth Character Analysis

Who is Nefertiti? Some might say she is the loving wife of Akhenaten, some might say she was the most power hungry and ambitious person. The story, Akhenaten: Dweller in Truth by Naguib Mahfouz, takes place in ancient Egypt when Akhenaten held the throne. Throughout the book, there are many discrepancies regarding the personality of Nefertiti. In my opinion, Nefertiti is the most insidious person and all she really wanted was power for her. Throughout the book, there is evidence showing how she deceivingly married Akhenaten in order to rise into power. She goes against her personality, flirts with other men, and also avoids situations that can jeopardize her position as queen. Nefertiti cunning motives makes her the most insidious being humanity

There are many accounts to when Nefertiti has interactions with other men. Mutnedjmet describes Nefertiti as a “trained whore” and explains how she was trying to get the attention of Haremhab, a good of Akhenaten (97). Being the sister of Nefertiti, she has great insight of the true nature of Nefertiti. Mutnedjmet description of Nefertiti in her tell makes it seem like Akhenaten was not the man for her (96). Nefertiti’s preference in men wasn’t reflected in the man Akhenaten was. That is why Mutnedjmet was extremely surprised and says, “I knew her too well to believe that that repulsive, effeminate creature had anything common with the man of her dream” (96). Nefertiti might have fooled others of her love to Akhenaten, however, siblings know every little detail about each other and Mutnedjmet automatically realized how insidious Nefertiti was. Nefertiti clearly did not affectionate towards Akhenaten and it is clearly shown throughout the

However, did she actually follow the new faith she supposedly have? Many accounts don’t seem too convinced of declaration to the new faith. Tey, the wife of Ay says that Nefertiti showed absolutely no enthusiasm when singing about the new religion (87). When a person is devoted to the religion they truly believe in, they sing with passion and heart, which is clearly something Nefertiti lacked in. Toto clearly believes that Nefertiti was in for the power and was clearly not behind the Akhenaten’s policies (85). Her true passion was power and Akhenaten was just a stepping-stone to reach that. She never believed in the one true god, it was just a ploy to ascend to the throne. Nefertiti’s insidious mindset is clearly shown as she does not believe the Akhenaten’s belief and only pretends to.

When someone truly cares for someone, they stay together and solve through their problems. Nefertiti showed the complete opposite of this trait. Mutnedjmet says that Nefertiti abandoned and fled the city when Akhenaten lost his power, even tried to join his enemies (102). This shows that once power was lost, Nefertiti left because that is all she wanted in the first place. If she actually loved and cared for Akhenaten, she would have stayed and fought side by side with him. Nefertiti’s insidious mindset is clearly shown when she packed her bags and left when the power was