Lawrence of Arabia is reminiscent of The Tale of Sinhue. There are similarities between these two stories that stuck out to me.
In the movie Lawrence of Arabia, Lawrence was a military intelligence officer. This was not unlike Sinhue, who was a mercenary of high rank. They were both men of war. Sinhue was a warrior of renowned and advised the king. T.E. Lawrence is recognized today as one of the greatest British military leaders. The desert was the setting for both stories. Sinhue was crossing Northern Africa and Lawrence was stationed in Egypt and the Middle East.
Lawrence, having set off from Cairo to travel through the desert, was given a local as a guide for his navigation. The guide was killed by Sharif Ali over feudal conflict. Sharif Ali becomes Lawrence’s guide. This is like Sinhue’s desert flight. This scene represents power changing hands.
Remember, Sinhue was traveling with Sinwosret I. Lawrence and Sinhue both part company with their prescribed travel companions and join royal company. Royalty was both men’s company. Lawrence had an allegiance to the British army first and foremost, but Prince Faisal welcomed him. Sinhue was welcomed by Chief Ammunenshi in order to serve as his military advisor. Lawrence advised the Arabs’ military campaign.
Chief Ammunenshi gave Sinhue blessings. He was given his own choice of cattle, he was given his own land, and he was given men to fight foreign tribes. Lawrence was serendipitous in his introductions, but their desert lifestyles bore resemblance. Lawrence, upon meeting Prince Faisal in his tent, was treated luxuriously. Prince Faisal was having a feast, and Lawrence was welcomed. They were serving good food from large platters. Lawrence was given access to resources that are otherwise unavailable besides rich food. Lawrence was given command of Arab men with whom to cross the desert.
Looking further, their other living conditions struck resemblance. The description of Sinhue’s abode was scant, and I deduced that his tent was not ornate. This description reminded me of Lawrence’s tent during travels with the Arabs. Lawrence’s tent is threadbare and he is closer to survival than excess. Tent is the exact word used in The Tale of Sinhue and when talking about Sinhue’s tent the text probably was referring to an elaborate tent with rooms. When reading The Tale of Sinhue, I visualized Sinhue’s tent like Lawrence’s tent in the film. The literary description of tents jabs at the visual representation visually versus verbally. In addition, Lawrence was pictured doing things in his tent that Sinhue was described to be doing. Lawrence wrote and documented his journey just like Sinhue. This struck a resemblance with me.
Another similarity were the trials that Sinhue and Lawrence faced. Sinhue was challenged by a strong man. He is being challenged because he is not a native to the region. His growing empire threatened, this is similar to the way that Lawrence’s status was challenged. Lawrence was not a national of Egypt, and the police discriminated against his skin color. They saw an opportunity to teach Lawrence a lesson. They dragged him into the station, and the mighty municipal police force beat Lawrence. These trials both intervene on the journeys of both characters. Lawrence and Sinhue never thought that they would be challenged because of their nationality. Their assaults both blindside them, and both characters overcome them.
I leave you with this question: Did you relate any of the texts we have read to movies that you have seen?
The Twilight Zone did an adaptation to the book of Genesis titled “Probe 7, Over and Out.” Basically, two human astronauts from different worlds, Adam Cook and Eve Norda, get stranded on the same planet which they later call Earth. Though Rod Serling make no indication of a Creator he does make a reference to the Human Race as an ideal interplanetary form and antonym.