The Arabian Nights Figurative Language

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Within “The Arabian Nights,” selected and edited by Daniel Heller-Roazen, God is invoked as ‘a tool’ whom characters use to benefit themselves. This dynamic counters common beliefs about God, as it causes him to appear inferior to humans, which creates a fallacy within the text.

Countless times throughout the text, God is referred to by various empowering names, which depict him as a superior figure. - Need Context - “When Badr looked at himself, he said, “Glory be to God, the Creator of all creatures and the Master of their destiny!” Then he kissed the king’s hands and feet and said to him, “May God reward you for this!”’ (288) Considering the way in which God is described by King Badr, it appears evident that he holds

- Need Context - “By the power of my spell, if the Creator has created this form, or if he has turned you into this form out of anger at you, stay as you are, but if you have been transformed bg my magic and cunning, turn back to your normal form, by the will of God, Creator of the world” (63). This particular phrase is repeated several times throughout the text. Each time, it includes words of praise to God, many of which have previously been stated. These ‘names’ empower God and cause him to appear as the ‘superior being.” At the same time, this expression allows humans to utilize God for their benefit. In this example, the “Cursed Queen” invokes God in order to please the King and advantage herself. Given God’s contrasting roles, many common beliefs about him prove unsound and produce a fallacy. - Need Context - “When he saw this, he felt sad and, with tears in his eyes, said to himself, “This is a strange day! God’s we are and to God we return”’ (32). In order to comfort himself after several fruitless fishing attempts, the fishman invokes God. While doing so, the fisherman also bestows God with power by claiming that all belong and eventually return to his possession. Considering that the fisherman uses God to benefit himself, while acknowledging God’s superior role, it appears clear that the fisherman’s action counter common beliefs about the status of God. This contrasting and mistaken belief equates to a fallacy. It appears evident that God is depicted in two ways throughout the text: He acts as a ‘a tool’ whom characters may use to benefit themselves and portrays an “almighty being” that is responsible for the creation of all life. These two roles are unable to function simultaneously, as they directly contrast one another. As such, the text’s concept of God appears confusing and a fallacy is