Manly Myths in the Book of the Thousand and One Nights

Machut-Mendecka, Ewa

Manly Myths in the Book of the Thousand and One Nights

Abstract

Many characters of the Book of the Thousand and One Nights, which came into being in the Middle Ages, have occupied a permanent place in culture and continue to enjoy popularity, both in the East and in the West. Sheherazade is the embodiment of womanhood, womanly beauty and wisdom and this already attracts attention; however, she seems to be even more interesting as a mysterious princess of the East with its sophisticated culture, intellectual atmosphere, sensuality and fabulous splendour. She is the image and symbol of her world in its various dimensions, that is why she becomes a mythical character and her popularity, like that of tens of heroes from other cultural areas, can perhaps be credited most of all to this fact.