batch.motif.islamicate-folklore-arabian-nights-lang-gutenberg-l5590-l5702
---
record_id: batch.motif.islamicate-folklore-arabian-nights-lang-gutenberg-l5590-l5702
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
passage_locator:
label: The Arabian Nights Entertainments; lines 5590-5702
start: '5590'
end: '5702'
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: The passage opens the tale of Prince Camaralzaman. King Schahzaman of the
isle of the children of Khaledan lacks an heir until, after religious gifts and
prayers advised by his grand-vizir, a son is born and named Camaralzaman, "Moon
of the Century." The prince is carefully educated and becomes accomplished. His
father considers preparing him for rule, but the grand-vizir advises that he should
first marry. Camaralzaman repeatedly refuses an arranged marriage, even after
his father, vizir, and mother press the matter, explaining that he objects to
marrying an unknown woman chosen for political reasons without regard to her character
or compatibility.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The isle of the children of Khaledan is described as an important kingdom
divided into provinces with flourishing towns.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: King Schahzaman has four wives but no heir, which causes him distress.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The grand-vizir advises the king that Allah alone can grant an heir and recommends
sending gifts to holy men who pray.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: After prayers for an heir, a son is born to the king the following year.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The king sends thank offerings to mosques and religious houses, and public
rejoicing marks the prince's birth.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The child is named Camaralzaman, glossed as "Moon of the Century," because
of his beauty.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Camaralzaman is carefully educated by a governor and teachers and becomes
charming and accomplished.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The king considers abdicating in favor of his son, but the grand-vizir advises
that the prince should first marry and gradually learn rule.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: When the king first commands Camaralzaman to marry, the prince respectfully
refuses and says marriage is distasteful to him at present.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: After the first refusal, the king admits Camaralzaman to the royal council
and shows him favor.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: A year later Camaralzaman again refuses marriage when questioned by his father.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: The grand-vizir advises the king to wait another year and then raise the demand
for marriage before the assembled council.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:13
text: The king asks Sultana Fatima to speak seriously with Camaralzaman because
the prince confides in her more than in him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:14
text: Camaralzaman explains to his mother that he objects to marrying an unknown
princess chosen by sovereigns without his choice or knowledge of her character.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: King Schahzaman
description: Ruler of the isle of the children of Khaledan; distressed because none
of his wives has given him an heir; father of Camaralzaman.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Grand-vizir
description: Wise counsellor to King Schahzaman who advises religious intercession
for an heir and later advises marriage as preparation for kingship.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:9
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Holy men
description: Religious men who spend their lives in prayer and are to receive gifts
so they may intercede for the king's desire for an heir.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Prince Camaralzaman
description: Son born to Schahzaman after prayers for an heir; named "Moon of the
Century"; educated with care; refuses arranged marriage.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:11
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Sultana Fatima
description: Mother of Camaralzaman, asked by the king to persuade him to marry.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Four wives of Schahzaman
description: The king's four wives, none of whom had given him an heir before Camaralzaman's
birth.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
roles:
- id: role:1
label: king
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Schahzaman governs the kingdom of Khaledan.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: father seeking heir
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: His distress is caused by having no heir, and after prayers a son is born
to him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: wise counsellor
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The passage explicitly calls the grand-vizir a wise counsellor and shows
him advising the king.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: role:4
label: religious intercessors
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: They are holy men who pray and may petition for the king's desire.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: prayed-for royal heir
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Camaralzaman is born after prayers for an heir to the throne.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:6
label: heir being prepared for rule
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The king considers abdicating in his favor, and the vizir proposes gradual
instruction in ruling.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:7
label: reluctant bridegroom
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: He repeatedly refuses his father's wish that he marry.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:11
- id: role:8
label: maternal intermediary
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The king asks her to speak to Camaralzaman because he confides more in her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:9
label: royal wives without heir
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: None of the four wives had given Schahzaman an heir.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Moon epithet
literal_form: The name Camaralzaman, glossed as "Moon of the Century."
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:2
label: Crown
literal_form: The crown used in the vizir's phrase about learning how to wear a
crown.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:3
label: Religious gifts and offerings
literal_form: Gifts to holy men and thank offerings to mosques and religious houses.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Childless king in Khaledan
summary: The prosperous King Schahzaman rules the isle of the children of Khaledan
but is distressed because his wives have given him no heir.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Prayer and birth of Camaralzaman
summary: The grand-vizir advises religious gifts and intercession; after prayers,
a son is born, offerings and rejoicings follow, and the child receives his moon-name.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Preparation for succession
summary: Camaralzaman is carefully educated, and the king considers abdication;
the grand-vizir counsels that the prince should marry and learn to rule gradually.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: First refusal of marriage
summary: The king tells Camaralzaman he wishes him to marry, and the prince respectfully
replies that marriage is currently distasteful to him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Renewed pressure after delay
summary: After a year, Camaralzaman still refuses marriage; the grand-vizir advises
that the demand later be made publicly before the council.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:6
label: Mother questions the prince
summary: Sultana Fatima asks why Camaralzaman refuses, and he explains that an arranged
royal marriage would require him to wed a woman he does not know and did not choose.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Prayed-for royal heir
taxonomy_refs:
- miraculous_child
- sacred_birth
basis: The king lacks an heir; the vizir says Allah alone can grant the desire and
recommends gifts and prayers, after which a son is born the next year.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage frames the birth as an answer to prayer but does not describe
a supernatural conception or overt miracle beyond religious intercession.
- id: motif:2
label: Dynastic succession through the only son
taxonomy_refs:
- royal_legitimacy
basis: Camaralzaman is the long-desired heir, and the king considers abdicating
in his favor while arranging preparation for rule.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage concerns succession planning rather than a completed enthronement.
- id: motif:3
label: Religious offering for desired boon
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: The king is advised to send gifts to holy men for intercessory prayers and
later sends thank offerings to mosques and religious houses after the child's
birth.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents pious giving and thanksgiving; it does not explicitly
describe a contractual exchange with the divine.
- id: motif:4
label: Marriage as preparation for kingship
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
- royal_legitimacy
basis: The grand-vizir advises that marriage will attach the prince to home and
allow him to gradually learn how to rule before receiving the crown.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a political and familial preparation motif rather than a formal
initiation rite.
- id: motif:5
label: Refusal of arranged royal marriage
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Camaralzaman repeatedly refuses his father's demand to marry and states his
objection to marrying an unknown sovereign's daughter without choice or knowledge
of her character.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:11
confidence: high
cautions: No taxonomy reference from the supplied list precisely names this motif.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 5590-5600
quote_or_summary: The passage describes the isle of the children of Khaledan and
King Schahzaman, a prosperous ruler distressed because none of his four wives
has given him an heir.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 5601-5610
quote_or_summary: The grand-vizir tells the king that Allah alone can grant his
desire and advises him to send large gifts to holy men who spend their lives in
prayer so their petitions may be answered.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 5611-5618
quote_or_summary: After prayers for an heir, a son is born the next year; Schahzaman
sends thank offerings to mosques and religious houses, celebrations are held,
and the beautiful child is named Camaralzaman, "Moon of the Century."
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 5619-5627
quote_or_summary: Camaralzaman is carefully educated and becomes accomplished; while
he is still young, his father considers abdicating in his favor and discusses
this with the grand-vizir.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 5628-5637
quote_or_summary: The grand-vizir advises that the prince is too young for state
cares and should first marry, be attached to home, share in royal counsels, and
gradually learn how to wear a crown.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 5638-5653
quote_or_summary: The king summons Camaralzaman and says he wishes him to marry;
the prince respectfully says he did not expect the proposal, that marriage is
distasteful to him, and that he needs time.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 5654-5662
quote_or_summary: The king says he will not force the prince but reminds him marriage
is necessary for a future ruler; afterward Camaralzaman is admitted to the royal
council and receives favor.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 5663-5670
quote_or_summary: After a year, the king again asks whether Camaralzaman has changed
his mind about marriage; the prince remains firm and asks his father not to press
the matter.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 5671-5682
quote_or_summary: The king reports the renewed refusal to the vizir; the vizir counsels
patience and suggests later presenting the demand before the assembled council,
where the prince may not refuse.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 5683-5694
quote_or_summary: The king tells the prince's mother, Sultana Fatima, of his disappointment
and asks her to speak seriously with Camaralzaman, since the prince confides more
in her.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: 5695-5702
quote_or_summary: Sultana Fatima asks Camaralzaman why he refuses marriage; he replies
that he objects to being required to marry an unknown princess chosen by rulers,
whether fair or frightful, clever or stupid, good or bad.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/islamicate-folklore/project-gutenberg/arabian-nights-lang.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Passage-level events and roles are clear. Motif labels involving sacred or
miraculous birth are cautious because the passage indicates answered prayer but
does not narrate an explicit miracle. No comparison claims were made because the
passage itself does not support a comparison to another text or tradition.
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: |-
Used only the supplied passage and metadata. Taxonomy references are limited to the provided lists.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:islamicate-folklore-arabian-nights-lang-gutenberg__l5590-l5702
passage_sha256=4ef896dc1e288a1974ffb899a19ccc3112563a0ed2e9ecc676222184073335e3