Summarize an Egyptian Myth Activity

Creating a plot diagram not only helps students learn the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and helps students develop a greater understanding of literary structures. In this activity, students will create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc of an Egyptian myth. Students should identify major turning points in the myth such as the Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

Egyptian Myth Plot Example

Exposition: The Death of Osiris: Osiris is tricked by his jealous brother Set, to get into a coffin that was specially made for him. When Osiris gets inside, Set closes it and throws it into the Nile. Set had hoped to become the new ruler of all of Egypt.

Conflict: Set is so jealous of Osiris that he is willing to do anything to kill him and become the new ruler.

Rising Action: Isis and Nephthys secretly plot together to find Osiris, and when Isis does, he is dead. Isis brings back his body and hides it while she thinks of a way to resurrect him from the dead.

Climax: Set finds the body, dismembers it, and spreads the body parts all over Egypt.

Falling Action: With help, Isis finds all of Osiris’ body parts except one. Since Osiris was incomplete, he wasn’t able to be resurrected, but became the ruler of Duat, the realm of the dead.

Resolution: Before Osiris goes to reside in Duat, Isis becomes pregnant with their son, Horus, who would one day avenge his father’s death.