batch.motif.islamicate-folklore-arabian-nights-lang-gutenberg-l1860-l1970
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamicate-folklore-arabian-nights-lang-gutenberg-l1860-l1970
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
passage_locator:
label: The Arabian Nights Entertainments; lines 1860-1970
start: '1860'
end: '1970'
translation: The Arabian Nights Entertainments
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: 'Zobeida agrees to spare the intruders if they tell their histories. The
porter briefly recounts how he came to the house and is permitted to leave, though
he stays to hear the others. The first Calender begins his story: he is a king''s
son who often visited his cousin, another prince. The cousin reveals a secret
building, asks for an oath, brings an unnamed beautiful lady, and has the narrator
escort her by moonlight to a newly built dome-like tomb. There the prince opens
a hidden trap-door beneath an empty sepulchre, revealing a spiral staircase. The
lady descends and the prince follows, dismissing the narrator. The narrator later
cannot find the tomb among similar tombs, and his oath keeps him silent. Returning
home, he finds his father killed in a mutiny, the grand-vizir on the throne, and
himself arrested.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Zobeida states that those who tell their histories and reasons for coming
may leave unhurt, while those who refuse face an implied threat.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The porter recounts being hired, carrying goods to the house, and being permitted
to remain there.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The porter is told he can go, but he asks to stay and sits on the sofa occupied
by the ladies.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The first Calender identifies himself as the son of a king and says his account
explains his lost right eye and Calender dress.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The narrator regularly visited his uncle's court and became attached to his
cousin, the uncle's son.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: The cousin says he has completed a building of his own design and requires
the narrator to swear faithfulness and secrecy before seeing it.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: The cousin returns with a richly dressed beautiful lady whose name is not
given.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The narrator escorts the lady by moonlight to a newly built dome-like tomb
at the cousin's request.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: The cousin arrives at the tomb carrying a small vessel of water, a pickaxe,
and a small bag of plaster.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: The cousin dismantles an empty sepulchre, digs beneath it, raises a trap-door,
and reveals the top of a spiral staircase.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: The lady silently descends the staircase, and the cousin follows her after
saying farewell to the narrator.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: The narrator searches the cemetery for four days but cannot identify the tomb
because the tombs are all alike.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:13
text: The narrator wants to reveal what happened to the prince, but his sworn oath
keeps him silent.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:14
text: On returning to his father's capital, the narrator learns that the army has
killed his father, enthroned the grand-vizir, and placed him under arrest.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Zobeida
description: Principal lady in the hall who controls whether the visitors may leave
unhurt.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Porter
description: A hired carrier who tells how he came to the house and then stays to
hear the others' stories.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: First Calender
description: A Calender who says he is the son of a king, has lost his right eye,
and begins to narrate his history.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Cousin prince
description: The narrator's cousin, son of the narrator's uncle, who builds a secret
structure and descends beneath a tomb with an unnamed lady.
role_refs:
- role:6
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Unnamed richly dressed lady
description: A beautiful lady brought by the cousin prince and led to the tomb,
where she descends the hidden staircase.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Narrator's father
description: A king who is reported to have been killed after the army mutinied.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Grand-vizir
description: An official placed on the throne after the mutiny and whose orders
lead to the narrator's arrest.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Army or palace guards
description: Forces who mutiny, kill the king, support the grand-vizir, and surround
the narrator on his return.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Slaves in Zobeida's hall
description: Attendants ordered to allow the visitors a little more liberty while
remaining in the hall.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
roles:
- id: role:1
label: conditional judge or host
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Zobeida decides that narrated histories can win safe departure.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: storyteller under threat
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:3
basis: The porter and the first Calender tell or begin to tell personal histories
in response to Zobeida's condition.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: released witness who stays
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The porter is permitted to go but asks to remain and hear the others' stories.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: royal exile or endangered prince
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The first Calender is a king's son who later finds his father killed and
himself arrested.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:9
- id: role:5
label: keeper of sworn secret
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: He swears faithfulness and secrecy and later remains silent because of the
oath.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: role:6
label: secret builder
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The cousin says he has had a building made after his own design and requires
secrecy about it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: guide into hidden descent
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: He opens the concealed stairway beneath the sepulchre and directs the lady
downward before following her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: silent descending lady
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The lady gives no answer and descends the staircase before the prince follows.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: deposed and killed king
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The army is said to have mutinied and put him to death.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:10
label: usurping ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The grand-vizir is placed on the throne after the king's death.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:11
label: mutinous enforcers
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The army mutinies, kills the king, and guards surround the narrator.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:12
label: armed or watchful attendants
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: They remain in the hall while the visitors are given limited liberty.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: dome-like tomb
literal_form: A newly built dome-like tomb containing an empty sepulchre.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:2
label: hidden trap-door
literal_form: A trap-door beneath the dismantled empty sepulchre.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: spiral staircase
literal_form: The top of a spiral staircase visible beneath the raised trap-door.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:4
label: small vessel of water
literal_form: A small vessel of water carried by the cousin prince to the tomb.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: pickaxe and plaster
literal_form: A pickaxe and a small bag containing plaster used or carried at the
tomb opening.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: oath of secrecy
literal_form: A sworn promise to be faithful and keep the cousin prince's secret.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: sym:7
label: similar cemetery tombs
literal_form: A cemetery in which the tombs are so alike that the narrator cannot
find the correct one.
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Histories demanded for release
summary: Zobeida relaxes the restraint on the intruders and makes safe departure
conditional on each person telling his history and reason for arriving.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:9
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:2
label: Porter's brief account and refusal to depart
summary: The porter tells how he was hired and came to the house, is allowed to
leave, but asks to remain so he may hear the others' stories.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: First Calender introduces royal identity and loss
summary: The first Calender says he is a king's son and that his story explains
his lost right eye and Calender dress.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Cousin's secret building and oath
summary: The cousin prince tells the narrator of a completed building and requires
him to swear faithfulness and secrecy before proceeding.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Moonlit escort to the tomb
summary: The cousin brings a beautiful unnamed lady and sends the narrator to escort
her to a newly built dome-like tomb by moonlight; the cousin follows with water,
a pickaxe, and plaster.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Opening the hidden descent
summary: The cousin dismantles the empty sepulchre, digs below it, opens a trap-door,
reveals a spiral staircase, and then descends with the lady.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Failed return to the hidden tomb
summary: The narrator later searches the cemetery for four days but cannot find
the tomb, while his oath prevents him from explaining the prince's disappearance.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:8
label: Dynastic overthrow and arrest
summary: The narrator returns to his father's capital and learns of a mutiny, his
father's death, the grand-vizir's enthronement, and his own arrest.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: storytelling as condition for release
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Zobeida makes physical safety and departure depend on the visitors narrating
their histories.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents the condition in a frame narrative context; no supplied
taxonomy family directly names this motif.
- id: motif:2
label: sworn secret leading to silence
taxonomy_refs:
- forbidden_knowledge
basis: The cousin requires an oath of secrecy before revealing the hidden arrangement,
and the narrator later remains silent about the prince because of that oath.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage concerns concealed knowledge and oath-bound silence, but does
not explicitly call the knowledge forbidden.
- id: motif:3
label: descent beneath a tomb through a hidden stair
taxonomy_refs:
- hero_descent
basis: A concealed trap-door under an empty sepulchre reveals a spiral staircase,
and the lady and prince descend into the hidden space.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The main narrator does not descend in this excerpt; the descent is performed
by the cousin prince and the lady.
- id: motif:4
label: lost or unfindable hidden place
taxonomy_refs:
- labyrinth_initiation
basis: The narrator cannot find the correct tomb after four days because the cemetery
tombs look alike.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: low
cautions: The passage contains spatial confusion and failed search, but not a full
labyrinth structure or initiation sequence in the excerpt.
- id: motif:5
label: royal usurpation and endangered heir
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: The narrator, a king's son, returns to find his father killed, the grand-vizir
enthroned, and himself arrested.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The excerpt stops at the arrest and does not yet show a restoration or
legitimacy contest beyond the usurpation.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 1860-1872
quote_or_summary: The third visitor says the three are sons of kings; Zobeida allows
limited liberty and says those who tell their histories and reasons for coming
may leave unhurt.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 1873-1888
quote_or_summary: The porter recounts being hired and brought to the house, is permitted
to go, but asks to stay and sits near the ladies to hear the other stories.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 1889-1894
quote_or_summary: One Calender begins the story of the first Calender, son of a
king, explaining his lost right eye and Calender dress.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 1895-1907
quote_or_summary: The narrator describes yearly visits to his uncle's court, closeness
with his cousin, and the cousin's request for oaths of faithfulness and secrecy
about a completed building.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 1908-1921
quote_or_summary: The cousin brings a richly dressed beautiful lady, asks the narrator
to escort her by moonlight to a newly built dome-like tomb, and arrives carrying
water, a pickaxe, and plaster.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 1922-1930
quote_or_summary: At the tomb the cousin destroys the empty sepulchre, digs below
it, raises a trap-door, and reveals the top of a spiral staircase.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 1931-1940
quote_or_summary: The cousin tells the lady that the staircase leads down to the
place described to her; she descends silently, he follows, bids the narrator farewell,
and sends him back.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 1941-1951
quote_or_summary: The narrator later searches the cemetery for four days but cannot
identify the tomb, and his oath prevents him from telling others what happened
to the prince.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 1952-1970
quote_or_summary: On returning to his father's capital, the narrator finds guards
at the palace and learns that the army killed his father, put the grand-vizir
on the throne, and ordered his arrest.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is well supported by the supplied passage. Motif labels
are candidates only and should be reviewed, especially taxonomy mappings for hidden
descent and labyrinth-like search.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-29'
notes: |-
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not make an explicit cross-tradition comparison.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamicate-folklore-arabian-nights-lang-gutenberg__l1860-l1970
passage_sha256=8d9cb1dc075bb5bc34fac85a48c2f02be08225987dec457a5483241c66ae2dde