Week 5 Story Planning: Scheherazade

(Wikimedia)

- The framework of the Arabian Nights was begun during the Islamic Golden Age, probably during the Abbasid Caliphate. It was written in Middle Persian and incorporated many Arabic myths and folktales. Stories were added to at various times by individuals throughout the Middle East.
- It seems to be told as a historical events, with the framework story probably taking place during the Sassanian Empire. The name of the Sultan in the story, Shahryar means holder of the realm in Middle Persian. The story most likely takes place in Iran.
- The Sassanian Empire was a long-lasting and powerful one. It eventually fell to Muslim conquest. The story could be told as a teaching tool: an example of corruption prior to Islam's dominance. Scheherazade and her father could be early converts, and the story could take place during the rule of Khosrow II. He ruled during the decline of the empire, five years before the Muslim Conquest of Iran. The Sultan would be a Sassanian king who answers to Khosrow II, the Sultan of Sultans.
- The framework of Arabian Nights has the Sultan first discover that his brother's wife is adulterous, then later finds out that his own beloved wife is even more flagrantly promiscuous. This leads to his bitter anger and distrust toward women. I would likely keep that, as it is a good explanation for the Sultan's murderous ways.
- The original story refers to Scheherazade's father as the Grand Vizier, but that title was not commonly used prior to the Ottoman Turks, so I will just call him the Sultan's First Minister.
- The First Minister has two daughters. The oldest, Scheherazade, is particularly brave, and seeks to end the Sultan's reign of terror.
- The main cast of characters should remain the same, and Scheherazade's marriage to the Sultan, along with the stories that she tells to extend her life.
- The background is that the First Minister and his daughters have been secretly saving the lives of the women. Worried that they will be found out, they determine that the Sultan must be killed and one of the children, borne by one of the women, should take his place. Scheherazade's marriage to the Sultan, and the stories that she tells, are delaying tactics while they plan an assassination.


Bibliography: The Arabian Nights' Entertainment by Andrew Lang. Web Source.