Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 5 (of 6)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

63266

Title

Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 5 (of 6)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Richard F. Burton's Volume 5 of the Supplemental Nights offers a rich collection of enchanting fictions drawn from the Wortley Montague MS. Featuring the tragic prophecy surrounding King Al-Mihrjan's daughter, Al-Hayfá, and the Prince's wondrous journey to a cavern of slave-girls, this volume blends Arabian folklore with anthropological notes. Burton's scholarly yet accessible prose invites readers into a world of magic, moral complexity, and timeless storytelling.

Summary up to 500 words

Volume 5 of the *Supplemental Nights* continues the rich narrative tradition of the *Thousand and One Nights*, offering a collection of tales that delve into profound themes of fate, kingship, and the complexities of human nature. The volume is anchored by the central story of King Al-Mihrjan, a monarch of immense wealth and power who is nonetheless haunted by a terrifying prophecy. A mysterious, formless Voice warns him that his newborn daughter, Al-Hayfā, will ultimately bring about his ruin. As the princess matures into a woman of extraordinary beauty and intellect, the King's anxiety intensifies, driven by recurring visions and supernatural warnings. The narrative follows the parallel journey of a Prince who, after his horse bolts him into the wilderness, discovers a cavern inhabited by slave-girls and a young lady, setting the stage for further adventures involving fate and discovery. The text is significantly enriched by Richard F. Burton's extensive translator's foreword, which details the history of the Wortley Montague manuscript. Burton explains its origins in Egypt, noting its distinct Nilotic tone and its preference for Cairo over Damascus. He provides numerous anthropological notes that illuminate the customs, language, and cultural contexts of the societies depicted, offering readers a critical lens on the stories' origins and evolution. The volume captures the allure of the East while maintaining a scholarly distance, allowing Burton to critique the manuscript's condition and the nature of its tales. Throughout the volume, the interplay between the supernatural and the mundane is evident. The King's struggle with the prophecy highlights the tension between human agency and predetermined destiny. Meanwhile, the Prince's wanderings and his encounter with the cavern dwellers explore themes of isolation, hospitality, and the unknown. Burton's inclusion of the manuscript's history, including its acquisition by Captain Jonathan Scott and its journey through various collectors, adds a layer of meta-narrative that underscores the significance of these tales in Orientalist scholarship. Through these interconnected narratives, the volume not only entertains but also educates, preserving the enchanting fictions while providing essential context for their understanding.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Folklore
• Fiction