What are the personality traits of the different characters in

the story? 

In the story, all gods represent specific personality traits that were used to distinguish
kings and who were their gods. The main characteristics we can see in almost all of
them are anger, love (compassion or sympathy), and revenge, especially between
Horus and Seth. Furthermore, they are the three qualities or feelings that are most
relevant to a human being, suggesting that gods were not much different than us but
only when it came to making the noblest decision at the end is what separates them
from humans, for they let feelings get on the way of the firm thought and facts. In this
essay, I will present the characteristics of the gods mentioned in the tale ‘’The
Contendings of Hours and Seth’’ and give the most relevant literal meaning to their
vivid personalities and inhumane powers.

In the contendings, Horus has the protagonist characteristics he is seen as; aggressive,
overly masculine, passionate to rule in the name of Osiris and Grandfather Ra,
balanced and in harmony with his desires, truth seeker, honourable, glory, redemption
(redeemer), the right action, child of truth. All of them could be summarised in a
simpler meaning Horus was Ra’s light in human form to be spread among the humans
and give them the right guidance from the gods. Seth proved every single one of the
characteristics mentioned above to be true for he was the ‘’shadow’’ 1 of Horus all the
opposites were in his personality. They are presented as ‘’Yin and Yang’’2 always
complete each other in an unwinnable battle for if one disappears the other one will
vanish as well.

Seth is the antagonist in the story whose desires to reign do not satisfy any of the
gods even though he is elder for they have no trust in him. He is seen as; aggressive,
sexual, egoistic, overly masculine, lethal desire for power and control, liar, manipulator,
hypocrite, and two-faced, imbalanced polarities. The meaning of Seth’s name is
translated as ‘’overpowering’’, ‘’overpassing’’, ‘’turning back’’, and ‘’ the
overmastering’’3. He4 was an unwanted child who came out of his mother's stomach
on his own accord, he never had a proper birth. His name is associated with confusion
and backwardness5. Although, he has Ra on his side throughout the entire battle for
the throne. He was seen as a more dominant and masculine figure than Horus (e.g,
‘’[s]eth caused his phallus to become stiff and inserted it between Hours’ thighs.’’) 6 he
dominates which is a clear representation of the dominion of the darkness
overpowering the light for it is always unwanted and comes without your permission.
1
Seen as a dark figure with only negative features.
2
The good and bad, darkness and light, truth and lies
3
Velde, 1967, 3
4
Velde, 1967, 27
5
Velde, 1967, 27
6
Wente, 2003, 99
Representing the way things in life could be two-sided at first might look like it is
something of good fortune and then everything turns against you (e.g., ‘’bed was
prepared for them, and together they lay down’’)7. Always together they lay good and
bad, lies and truths, desires and balance and cannot be separated for the other one
fulfils the meaning of its opposite.

Ishtar plays the role of unconditional motherly love she is presented with soft traits;
lust, love, affect, shapeshifter, manipulative, a mother figure to both Seth and Horus
and seductive. Ishtar is the feminine principle in the story always supporting Horus
because he is seen as the submissive one who needs his mother’s help throughout the
entire battle for the throne. This is a trait Ra dislikes and mentions about Horus ‘’this
office is too much for you, you lad, the odor of whose mouth is bad’’ 8 hinting that he is
still a child and does not possess the required skill to rule. Even though, Ishtar’s love
and care for Horus is so strong that it becomes suffocating (e.g., Horus came out of
the water and struck his mother’s head then her body turned into a stone statue). This
occurrence of too much care is perhaps the reason why Horus kept losing in his fights
with Seth. The feminine side of him always dominated while Seth has only the
masculine side to dominate and win. Therefore, he was not suitable to take the place
of Osiris for a king should be in balance with both of his polarities feminine and
masculine (to lead the people and be led by listening to the voice of the people).

The Ennaed, Atum, Osiris, and Ra were the judges of Horus and Seth’s destiny. The
scales of fate were on Horus’ side even before the battle because he obtains qualities
and character traits like the judges. Thus, he proved himself to be more worthy and
significantly humbler than Seth which is a quality one king must possess to rule justly.
All the gods are representative of all human traits in one which is the reason why they
are gods because humans can only master a few to perfection but a god has to obtain
all of them in complete balance and harmony. Although Horus shows characteristics
that are flawed, he redeems himself for his mistakes and foul decisions, unlike Seth
who lies and creates chaos in the order of gods just to satisfy his ego. Finally, this
builds up the instability in his character as an unsuitable contender for the throne.

7
Wente, 2003, 99
8
Wente, 2003, 94
 References

Velde, T. 1967. Seth, God of Confusion. INTERNET ARCHIVE.

https://ia600900.us.archive.org/0/items/SethGodOfConfusion_201903/
Seth_God_of_Confusion.pdf.

Wente, E.F. (2003) The Contendings of Horus and Seth. In, Simpson, W.K. (ed.). The literature of
Ancient Egypt: anthropology of stories, instructions, stelae, autobiographies, and poetry (pp.
91-103). Yale University Press.
https://ia802907.us.archive.org/1/items/TheLiteratureOfAncientEgyptKellySimpsonBySamySalah/
The%20Literature%20of%20Ancient%20Egypt%20-%20Kelly%20Simpson%20By
%20Samy%20Salah.pdf