Hatshepsut, His Majesty Herself Analysis

In “Hatshepsut, His Majesty, Herself,” by Catherine Andronik, she informs the reader about Hatshepsut and her role as an effective female pharaoh in ancient Egypt. One supporting detail of Hatshepsut’s effectiveness as a pharaoh is that she was a regent. In paragraph eight, the author tells us that a regent is “an adult who could take control of the country.” In addition, the author states,”...had been training for since her earliest days by her father’s side. Women had acted as regents for infants…” Because Hatshepsut had been ready for this job, and was familiar with Egypt, she was now regent for Tuthmosis III because he was not mature enough to rule. Further in the text, we learn that Hatshepsut assists Tuthmosis III, but she is starting

Hatshepsut was intelligent because she knew what to do when Egypt needed a regent. Hatshepsut herself decided that she was perfect for this job. She helped Tuthmosis III rule, and slowly took over Egypt, because she wanted to make a slow change, not a sudden one. This is discussed in paragraph eleven, when the author states,”...appeared in public ceremonies first in behind, then beside, and eventually in front of her nephew.” Hatshepsut could have just taken over Egypt, but she wanted to prove herself equal as any other pharaoh. Stepping beside Tuthmosis III shows that Hatshepsut wanted her people, the Egyptians, to know that she was equal to Tuthmosis III, or somewhat as powerful as Tuthmosis III. We also learned that Hatshepsut was worried about continuing Egypt’s traditions. While she tried to follow Egypt’s customs, she accomplished another intelligent thing. Hatshepsut knew that other pharaohs had a throne name when they ruled, so she decided to do so as well. Hatshepsut was clever about what she named herself, though. In paragraph twelve, the author states,”Since all the pharaohs took a throne name… Hatshepsut chose the name Maatkare. Maat… was very important to Hatshepsut.” If Maat was important to Hatshepsut, it most likely applied to royal and non-royal Egyptians as well. This was intelligent, or clever, because Hatshepsut’s throne name, Maatkare, showed her people that Maat was important to her, and