Pharaoh Merenre

**Pharaoh Merenre** is a main character in the animated series *"Papyrus"*. He serves as the sovereign of Two Lands and is the loving father of Théti, he reigns over Egypt, with the advisors, Mesimonptu and Ratoufer by his side.

## History

Pharaoh Merenre is first seen at the Royal palace, under the belief that his daughter is dead. He is then distraught to hear from Mesimonptu that Théti has disappeared.

Later in the episode, Merenre is delighted to hear that Théti is in fact alive, uniting the two again.

## Personality

Merenre is a surprisingly complicated character, but at core, he is a peaceful ruler. The pharaoh is usually calm-minded and often does not show his emotions, but he can be provoked and is easily discouraged. He places his kingdom as a top priority and is aware of his duties as king. He is also a skilled archer and possesses physical strength, which are shown in a few episodes.

In his private life, Merenre is a good family man and a loving father. He was once married to a woman named Neferure, who tragically passed away due to Seth’s magic, thus leaving him a widower.

Merenre can be forgiving at times. This fact is strengthened as his younger brother, Ahmès, brings about comminations against the double kingdom unless Merenre gives him the throne, which usually backfires, albeit Merenre forgives him and lets him get away most of the time despite the inflicted danger. Although it gets to the point where he has had enough and eventually arrests him near the end of the series.

However, the Pharaoh can be antagonistic on some occasions. This is mostly due to him bound to follow established monarchical order, and his character ranging from mild assertion to skepticism, so he tends to come off as an antihero. For one, there are many individuals who try to overthrow him in the series. This varies from ambitious nobles, corrupted priests, powerful lords, to rogue generals, which also makes it easy for him to distrust people, including Papyrus. The monarch will sometimes be suspicious of Papyrus and will never hesitate to have his loyal defender ridden of even on the smallest hint of betrayal, despite the fact that Papyrus saved him and his daughter numerous times. This has even been pointed out in the series.

## Relationships

### **Ratoufer**

According to Grand Vizier Mesimonptu, Ratopher is Merenre's mentor and his best friend. In Renunciation of Papyrus, (when the Pharaoh was still young), he was inflated with pride by Aker and sent Ratoufer into exile. Aker advised him to kill the villagers who had rebelled against him. Ratoufer, however, advised Merenre to pity, but the monarch was blinded, obeyed Aker, and expelled everyone (including Ratoufer) who disagreed with his decision. However, he eventually realized his mistakes and took Ratoufer back.

From then on, Ratoufer remained the most loyal to Merenre for the rest of the series, and (in spite of his age) a friend despite the disagreements they may have on certain decisions.

### **Théti**

Théti is Merenre’s daughter and his only heir to the throne. It is evident that he greatly holds her dear and places importance in her wellbeing like a loving father would. In episode 17 of the second season, he was even ready to give up the throne of Egypt to save his daughter's life.

He often refers to her as "my child", so one could see that she is precious to him. This could be because Théti reminds him of her mother due to their physical resemblance, thus making him feel his wife never left him.

### **Papyrus**

Merenre had a notable impact on Papyrus. Generally speaking, Papyrus shares a mixed relationship with Merenre, this is mostly due to Papyrus’s lacking sense of belonging and is sometimes treated like an outsider.

This relationship is further embroiled in Renunciation of Papyrus where it is revealed that Merenre is guilty of genocide, however, informed by The messenger that Merenre is responsible for the deaths of Papyrus's parents, causing the two to clash more. Feeling betrayed, Papyrus responds to this by relinquishing his sword and mission, wanting nothing to do with Merenre or the palace anymore. The Pharaoh, however, admits his regret, that his actions were selfish and foolish. And the claim that whether or not he let his parents to die remains a mystery.

However, on good terms, the Pharaoh is usually respectful to Papyrus for saving his daughter, even accommodating him to the palace. On Merenre's part, it is also unlikely that he holds personal malice against the young fisherman, as he has stated on several ocassions that he does care for him. Sometimes Merenre treats Papyrus with royal disdain, but does not hate him. They may clash but they never end up hating each other. Though it is obvious this relationship is sporadic.

### **Ahmès**

It is unclear to what extent Merenre has for or against Ahmès, although it is clear that they are neither fond nor tolerant of each other. Overall, Merenre has mercy on him despite being aware of the evasions and disasters he has put him through. However, having taken his advances further, Merenre reprimands and outright declares he hates Ahmès, but does not condemn him to death.

While Ahmès is dastard on his own, the two have an implied history of favoritism, where in The Anger of the Moon God, Ahmès declares that he has ‘lived in his brother’s shadow for too long,’ insinuating his actions against his older brother alone may be out of resentment, or at most, revenge. It can also be further speculated that Merenre allows Ahmès to take these measures against him - therefore a contributing factor to why Merenre extenuates his schemes by letting him free, or by just simply exiling him without punishment to ease his guilt.

## Trivia

* The name Merenre translates to "beloved of Ra".
* He is the tallest of the main cast (human-wise), in contrast to Tiya, who is the shortest.
* His comic book counterpart is not called Merenre, but Merneptah. Calling the character Merenre is derived from volumes prior to "The Ramesses' Revenge", where he was indeed called "Merenre."
* The alternate spellings of his name are "Mérenré" and "Merenrê", depending on the dub.
* Interestingly, his French voice actor also voices Pharaoh Ramses II from the series’ sister show, "Princess of the Nile".
* He plays a more antagonistic role in the comics in which he makes a conscious effort to estrange Papyrus from Théti when he has the chance to. It is unclear if he also wants Papyrus warded off Théti in the animated series, however.

## Gallery

Linework of Pharaoh MerenreMerenre in his young days.Merenre wearing the standard Nemes headdress.Merenre and Shepsi.Merenre contemplating.Merenre reassuring his daughter.Merenre led to decide the fate of Papyrus in "The Sacrilege of Papyrus."Merenre wearing the Pschent crown.Merenre wearing the Khepresh crown.Merenre having enough of Ahmes's schemes.Merenre without his headdress and makeup.
## Appearances

(1x2) The Anger of the Moon God
(1x3) The Lord of the Crocodiles
(1x4) The Vengeance of Ramses
(1x5) The Faceless Giant
(1x7)The Black Sun of Seth
(1x8) The Metamorphosis of Imhotep
(1x9) The Labyrinth
(1x10) The Triumph of Bastet (flashback cameo)
(1x11) The City of Scribes
(1x12) The Devil of the Red Mountains
(1x13) The Golden Feather
(1x16) Hathor's Harp
(1x17) The Forgotten Sarcophagus
(1x18) The Temple of Life
(1x19) The Revenge of Amon
(1x20) The Rebirth of the Child Pharaoh
(1x21) Tears of the Giants
(1x22) The Hieroglyph Child
(1x23) Keeper of the Three Gates
(1x24) The Black Pyramid (episode)
(1x25) The Mirror of Nebou
(1x26) The Second Flood of the Sacred River
(2x1) The Sacrilege of Papyrus
(2x4) Justice Thoueris
(2x5) The Awakening of Osiris
(2x7) Stolen Country
(2x8) Four Chapels of Tutankhamun
(2x9) The Divine Potter
(2x10) Return Senkhet
(2x11) The Talisman of the Great Pyramid
(2x12) Yam
(2x14) Seven Knots of Horus
(2x15) Renunciation of Papyrus
(2x16) Nile Red
(2x17) The Sacred Crown of Wadjet
(2x18) Neferure (episode)
(2x20) Princess Tiya
(2x21) Princess Star
(2x22) The Sacred Child of Ebla
(2x23) The Ished Tree
(2x24) The Djed Pillar
(2x25) The Trial of Papyrus

## References

1. ↑ Neferure (episode)
2. ↑ The Trial of Papyrus