"The metaphor of the king as the shepherd of his people goes back to ancient Egypt. Perhaps the use of this particular convention is due to the fact that, being stupid, affectionate, gregarious, and easily stampeded, the societies formed by sheep are most like human ones"

Northrop Frye's quote is a commentary on making use of the metaphor of the king as the shepherd of his people. This metaphor has been utilized given that ancient Egypt, and Frye suggests that this is since the behavior of sheep resembles that of humans. Frye implies that human beings are foolish, affectionate, gregarious, and easily stampeded, which these qualities make them similar to sheep. He suggests that this is why the metaphor of the king as the shepherd of his people is so effective. Frye's quote is a pointer that humans are not so various from animals, which the very same metaphors can be used to explain both. It is likewise a reminder that human beings must know their own habits and how it affects those around them.