The Prince of Egypt, released 25 years ago, remains one of the greatest biblical epics created on film. This animated adaptation of the story of Moses and the exodus gets a lot right, employing show-stopping music and compelling visuals to help guide its story. Part of what makes The Prince of Egypt powerful is that it employs show-stopping music and compelling visuals to help guide its story.
Each main character in the movie is a representation of different types of individuality. Miriam stands for those who have enduring faith, believing in miracles and believing they will live a better life. Moses stands for those who take action for the greater good, the ones who rebel against injustice. Tziporrah stands for those whose support is unbreakable and will stand with their loved ones no matter what. Rameses stands for those who are part of an injustice system due to corrupted political views. And then there's Aaron.
Aaron has not been a believer of faith in the beginning like Miriam did and has not taken action like Moses did. Aaron has not been always supportive like Tziporrah did and he has not been corrupted and enslaved the Jewish People like Rameses did. So, what does he represent? Anything at all? As a matter of fact, he does.
If you thought Aaron doesn't represent anything and was just only a character, you are sadly mistaken. Aaron represents the majority who live and thrive around the globe today. It's so simple, yet it's complex. It's shown in the movie just who Aaron stands for and how much we relate to Aaron, even when we don't realize it yet. Aaron stand for democracy. Aaron stands for you and me, all of us.
Aaron's Initial Doubt and Practical Viewpoint
Aaron had a more practical view point. Unlike Miriam who always believed, Aaron did not. He didn't believe Moses at first, he was doubtful that Moses was the deliverer. And who can blame him, we'd doubt that Moses was too if we were in his position.
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Aaron was born and raised a slave, and did not have the luxuries that Moses had in his adolescence. As a result, he became hardened and pessimistic. He seems to have held a resentment towards Moses despite their relation, mainly due to Moses’ contribution to increasing the Hebrews workload and previous apathy to their enslavement, although it appears to have faded by now given Moses’ actions to save them. Aaron is self-reliant and hardworking, but sometimes his caution can be perceived as cowardice. Above all, Aaron loves his sister, Miriam, and will do whatever it takes to protect her, even if it means hiding the truth of his brother's origins.
As Moses leaves the palace, a Hebrew man throws a handful of mud at him, knocking him to his knees. Now fearless of speaking back, Aaron confronts Moses and asks him how he likes it when he is struck to the ground. He accuses him of never caring about slaves until he realized he was one of them. Although Moses agrees with him and apologizes for making their lives more difficult, Aaron is reluctant to believe him and states that his lack of "wanting to see" doesn't change years of suffering that he and the Hebrews have endured. Miriam approaches and angrily tells Aaron that he "shames himself". Aaron remains indignant as she goes to comfort their younger brother.
When Aaron and Miriam see an old slave being harshly whipped, he begs Miriam to stay out of it.
Aaron is the younger brother of Miriam and the older brother of Moses by three years. At least 18 years later, Moses escapes the palace to follow Tzipporah, he finds a now young adult Aaron and Miriam drawing water from a well. Unaware that they are his siblings, Moses ignores them until Miriam, believing that Moses has come for them, tells him that he is their brother. Aaron tries to keep Miriam from speaking to Moses, in fear that he will not believe them and have them both flogged, but Miriam insists that Moses must know the truth. Aaron insists to Moses that Miriam is unwell and she "knows not to whom she speaks". After several attempts by Miriam of convincing him, Moses threatens that she will pay for her insolence. Aaron falls at Moses's feet, begging for forgiveness. He tries once more to drag Miriam away, but she resists, telling Moses that he is the Deliverer of the Hebrews. Moses grabs her wrist and flings her to the ground, telling her she'll "regret this night". Miriam starts to sing their mother's lullaby as Aaron faces resignedly into a post.
Miriam promises Moses that God will not abandon him, so he must not abandon the Hebrews.
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This came into mind when I watched the scene after Miriam came to Moses after he confronted Rameses over the fate of the Hebrews. It was with Aaron who was standing in the center of the screen with a few of his people who stand beside him, looking down at Moses.
When Moses sees Ramses on the Nile, he rises to follow him. A large crowd of Hebrews then follow Moses. Aaron calls to Miriam, asking where she is going. Aaron stays with Miriam and Tzipporah as Moses goes to the water. When Moses turns the water into blood through his staff, Aaron reacts in shock. Ramses, however, does not believe Moses's "trick" and demands that Moses abandons his mission. Aaron approaches Moses with sadness, hopeless that Pharaoh still has the power over their lives.
Aaron as a Representative of the Crowd
Aaron stands for the crowd, literally. Once Aaron strives to believe that Moses is the deliverer, so does the rest of his people. When Aaron looked down at Moses with anger after Pharaoh ordered their work to be doubled, so did his people. When Aaron saw the high priests turn the water into blood (when they actually made some kind of fruit punch...come on you know you thought of some kind of punch) he still doubted Moses and so did the people. When he walked with Moses out of Egypt, so did his people.
And finally, Moses splits the Red Sea and everyone just stood there. So who was the first person to trust Moses to walk between the Red Sea? That's right, Aaron. And guess what, everyone followed him.
God Leading the Israelites Out of Egypt
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When Ramses finally yields to God's demand, Moses leads the Hebrews out of Egypt with the help of Aaron, Miriam, and Tzipporah. Aaron's faith in Moses and in God is restored. During the Exodus, he proudly puts a hand on his brother's shoulder, nodding in approval.
When they reach the Red Sea, Aaron and the other Hebrews react in horror when they see Ramses and his forces pursuing them. As God sends down a fiery vortex, blocking the Egyptians from reaching the Hebrews, Moses plunges his staff into the water, parting the sea. The Hebrews stare in wonder, terrified of God's awesome power. No one moves.
Aaron pushes his way through the crowd and steps in front of Moses, staring out into the sea. He looks at Moses with a smile and then at everyone else with a nod of reassurance. Aaron helps Moses get people across the sea. He comforts a camel, agreeing "me too" as the camel's head drops on his shoulder. When Pharaoh's army follows them into the sea, Aaron helps people over the rocks and to the other side. After the sea sweeps away Ramses's forces, Aaron celebrates with his family, pulling Moses into an exuberant hug.
Aaron's Significance as a Symbol of the People
Aaron is a very important character because he represents us, as people, who want to live a better life and want to believe! Some of us have a hard time believing there's a better life out there because we have to deal with our burdens and obstacles that come our way. There are many reasons that we all have a hard time to believe in miracles. Just like if our dept/rent is too high, or our illnesses (physical, mental) are difficult to control. Just like if one cannot accept the death of their loved one, or even fathom with the living conditions whether it's the place itself or the people they live with.
Aaron had to live through being a slave, and he was such a strong character for surviving those years of torment. His strength was enduring, never giving up on living no matter what the cause. We must admit, Aaron is a lot like us that we think. He represents the majority around the world. The people, who suffer through anything and everything but have the endurance to live through it all. This is why Aaron should be appreciated more...because he stands for the people. He stands for us.
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