Thought Couplets in «The Tale of Sinuhe»

The Tale of Sinuhe is a narrative literary text written in verse. The specific structure of the poem is comprised of two-line units termed «thought couplets», which are primarily composed of grammatical clauses, one per verse line. The strict structuring of the couplet allows one to determine the kinds of clauses used in the poem, where they occur in the couplet (first or second line), and which clauses pair with which others. A detailed Distribution Chart shows the grammatical forms used in Sinuhe, the various positions possible in the couplet, and the place, by line number, of every clause in the poem. A hieroglyphic text is included, arranged as verse and with each verse line numbered, along with a literal translation and a chapter on the poem as literature.