The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 05 (of 10)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

54257

Title

The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 05 (of 10)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A classic collection of Arabian Nights tales translated by Richard F. Burton, Volume 5 features romantic tragedies, witty schoolroom exchanges, and a detailed dialogue on Islamic medicine, hygiene, and ethics.

Summary up to 500 words

Volume Five of *The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night* continues the enchanting narrative tradition established by Shahrazad, weaving together tales of fatal passion, humorous seduction, and scholarly instruction. The volume opens with the tragic story of the lovers of the Banu Ozrah tribe, where a man's overwhelming love for a woman who cruelly rejects him drives him to death; upon his demise, she weeps so profoundly that she joins him in the grave, illustrating the ancient Eastern view of passion as a force capable of transcending life itself. This is followed by the comical tale of the Wazir of Al-Yaman and his young brother, whose religious tutor secretly seduces the ward through rooftop rendezvous, only to be discovered by the Wazir himself. Remarkably, the Wazir chooses forgiveness over betrayal, allowing the illicit affair to continue until the boy's owner eventually marries them both. Another poignant narrative features the poet Al-Mutalammis, who returns after years of absence to find his wife married to another; resolving the conflict with poetic wit rather than violence, he accepts her sorrow and they live happily together. A significant portion of this volume is dedicated to a scholarly dialogue between Caliph Harun al-Rashid and a physician regarding the anatomy of the human body, diagnostic methods, and dietary laws. The text provides detailed anatomical breakdowns, describing the skull, spinal column, ribs, and extremities with precision. It further explores the moral implications of medicine, discussing the causes of disease such as indigestion and the corruption of humors like yellow and black bile. The narrative offers practical instruction on health, including bathing customs in the Hammam, the proper timing for drinking water, and the dangers of excess. The physician also addresses the virtues and vices of carnal copulation, citing religious authorities to warn against liaisons with old women while praising the benefits of moderate intimacy with a young, healthy partner. Throughout these discussions, Shahrazad frames the content within her storytelling for the King, balancing high romance with practical wisdom on hygiene, diet, and the preservation of health.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Folklore
• Fairy Tales