The Shaving of Shagpat · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Shaving of Shagpat by George Meredith.
Chapter 1
The Thwackings
Shibli Bagarag, nephew of Baba Mustapha, arrives at the city of Shagpat in a state of hunger and despair. He is approached by an old woman who prophesies that he is destined to shave Shagpat, the clothier, and thus achieve greatness. After she vanishes, Shibli enters the city and encounters a procession led by the King and his Vizier. The Vizier, Feshnavat, recognizes Shibli as a barber and reveals his own enmity toward Shagpat, enlisting Shibli's help. The Vizier then introduces Shibli to his daughter, Noorna bin Noorka, who appears transformed and youthful, resembling the legendary Bhanavar the Beautiful. Shibli narrates the story of Bhanavar at their request.
Chapter 2
And This Is the Story of Bhanavar the Beautiful
This chapter tells the tale of Bhanavar the Beautiful, a damsel betrothed to a comely youth. One night by a lake, they witness a mysterious light that is revealed to be a Jewel in the head of the Serpent of the Lake. Consumed by desire for the Jewel, Bhanavar persuades her betrothed to obtain it for her, despite his warnings of doom. He agrees, and they part. Later, Bhanavar is captured by mountain warriors and taken by ship, separated from her beloved Ruark.
Chapter 3
The Betrothal
Shibli Bagarag is formally betrothed to Noorna bin Noorka under the supervision of her father, Vizier Feshnavat. Noorna reveals that Shagpat holds the entire city under enchantment through a single hair in his head, and that Shibli is destined to shave Shagpat. The betrothal contract binds Shibli by three bonds: vengeance, ambition, and love. Noorna hints at her own enchanted state and promises that time will reveal her true form.
Chapter 4
And This Is the Punishment of Shahpesh, the Persian, on Khipil, the Builder
King Shahpesh punishes his negligent builder Khipil by forcing him to sit on an imaginary throne, fall into a gap, present nettles as flowers, and endure other ironic torments, teaching a lesson against idleness and garrulity.
Chapter 5
The Genie Karaz
Shibli Bagarag impatiently declares he will shave Shagpat that very night, but Noorna and Feshnavat explain the immense difficulty of the task, detailing three chief obstacles: the illusions of Rabesqurat, the Chief of Identicals, and the need for a magical blade. Noorna reveals the existence of the Sword of Events in Aklis, which alone can overcome Shagpat's defenses. She then summons the genie Karaz, whom she holds in bondage, and after a tense confrontation forces him to take the shape of an ass to serve as their mount.
Chapter 6
The Well of Paravid
Shibli Bagarag and Noorna bin Noorka journey across a desert and up a perilous mountain on the enchanted ass (the genie Karaz). Noorna instructs Shibli to bathe in the Well of Paravid and fill a phial with its waters. He succeeds, emerging with a jewel from the well's bottom, though his hand is cut. Noorna praises him, and they continue their quest.
Chapter 7
The Horse Garraveen
Shibli Bagarag, guided by Noorna bin Noorka, successfully captures the magical horse Garraveen in the meadows of Melistan. However, his pride leads him to disobey Noorna's warning not to ride the horse a second time. The genie Karaz, summoned by Noorna, wrestles Shibli from the horse and rides away on Garraveen, causing the loss of Karaz's service. Noorna then ties three hairs of Garraveen around Shibli's wrist to strengthen him, and they part ways, with Shibli instructed to go to the City of Oolb.
Chapter 8
The Talking Hawk
Shibli Bagarag, guided by a talking hawk and the waters of Paravid, travels to the City of Oolb. He is tricked by the genie Karaz disguised as a ship captain, but the hawk saves him from drowning and brings him to shore.
Chapter 9
Goorelka of Oolb
Shibli Bagarag, guided by the talking hawk, uses his barber's skills and magical tackle to shave the King of Oolb and his court, earning the King's favor. He trades the hawk for a China jar and an invisible dress, then uses them to infiltrate the palace at night. He attempts to steal the cockleshell from Princess Goorelka but is captivated by her beauty, awakening her. Goorelka discovers the theft and pursues him across the sea in the cockleshell, with Shibli clinging to it as they enter an enchanted realm.
Chapter 10
The Lily of the Enchanted Sea
Shibli Bagarag and Princess Goorelka are shipwrecked on an enchanted shore. Shibli follows Goorelka to a peak where she tries to trick him, but he reveals himself. She tests his fidelity and offers him poisoned dew from the Enchanted Lily, but a hawk intervenes, causing Shibli to uproot the Lily, which bleeds like a living heart. The hawk reveals Goorelka's true ugliness and summons the genie Karaz, who carries her away. Shibli realizes Goorelka resembles Noorna, his betrothed. The Lily transforms into a beautiful damsel, who reveals herself as Noorna, and they sail together toward Aklis as Noorna prepares to tell her story.
Chapter 11
And This Is the Story of Noorna Bin Noorka, the Genie Karaz, and the Princess of Oolb
Noorna bin Noorka recounts her origin story: orphaned as an infant in the wilderness, adopted by Ravaloke, and later discovering her true identity after an encounter with Princess Goorelka. She describes her acquisition of a book of magic from a beggar, her flight from the genie Karaz, and how she came to possess the Identical hair that was planted in Shagpat. She explains her bond with the Lily of Oolb, the loss of her beauty due to Goorelka's blight, and her eventual role in guiding Shibli Bagarag to shave Shagpat.
Chapter 12
The Wiles of Rabesqurat
Shibli Bagarag and Noorna bin Noorka journey toward Aklis, but are intercepted by Queen Rabesqurat, who uses enchantments and illusions to beguile Shibli, attempting to make him forget his betrothal to Noorna and claim him as her own. Noorna is captured by Abarak, and Shibli is seduced by the Queen's wiles, though he ultimately resists her full deception.
Chapter 13
The Palace of Aklis
Shibli Bagarag enters the Palace of Aklis and is tempted by three halls of illusion: one with fountains of jewels, one with a feast, and one with beautiful damsels. He resists the first two temptations by focusing on his quest for the Sword of Aklis, but in the third hall he is crowned with a false crown and trapped on a throne. After striking a hidden gong, he is freed and discovers other duped kings. He uses the waters of Paravid to awaken an ancient king, who advises him to flash the Sword in the hall when he obtains it.
Chapter 14
The Sons of Aklis
Shibli Bagarag awakens in Aklis after a night of feasting and is treated as a king by the seven sons of Aklis. He is crowned and presides over a court of asses and monkeys, who are revealed to be former seekers of the Sword who failed the test of temptation. Through this experience, Shibli gains wisdom about the burdens of kingship and the dangers of vanity. He then joins the youths for a hunt before returning to the palace.
Chapter 15
The Sword of Aklis
Shibli Bagarag and the Antelope (Princess Gulrevaz) traverse the halls of Aklis, overcome a lion with a hair of Garraveen, and enter the Cave of Chrysolites. There, the seven sons of Aklis test Shibli by having him thrust his wrist into a furnace and bathe in golden waters. He then grasps the magical Sword, which can shrink or lengthen at command and cuts through anything. The sons restore the Antelope to her true form as Princess Gulrevaz, who urges Shibli to remember his betrothed Noorna and hasten to rescue her.
Chapter 16
Koorookh
Shibli Bagarag, aided by Princess Gulrevaz and the seven sons of Aklis, uses the Sword and the magical bird Koorookh to rescue Noorna from the genie Karaz and a kite sent against her. He then peers through the glass eye and sees Shagpat parading in triumph and Feshnavat in fetters, which renews his determination to shave Shagpat. After a series of magical battles, Noorna is saved and reunited with Shibli, and the chapter ends with Shibli observing the city of Shagpat and preparing for the Event.
Chapter 17
The Veiled Figure
Shibli Bagarag and Abarak depart from Aklis after the Sword is flashed, revealing the Veiled Figure as Rabesqurat. Shibli is horrified by the sight and loses his wits. Abarak discovers two remaining hairs of Garraveen on Shibli's wrist, which transform into genii Karavejis and Veejravoosh. Because Shibli peered through the veil, the genii cannot serve him directly, and the party must escape Aklis by diving into a brook.
Chapter 18
The Bosom of Noorna
Noorna waits on the mountain in outer Aklis with Koorookh, teaching the bird to speak. She discovers through divination that Shibli Bagarag has peered through the veil of the ferrying figure in Aklis, rendering his name unutterable. Grieving but resolute, she enters a cavern, plunges into a torrent, and rescues Shibli and Abarak from the water. She revives Shibli in her bosom, and they mount Koorookh to fly onward.
Chapter 19
The Revival
Shibli Bagarag is revived by Noorna bin Noorka through a kiss and a plunge into a lake, awakening to the reality of his mission. He summons the genii Karavejis and Veejravoosh via the Sword to search for the genie Karaz, while Shagpat is singled out by the light of Aklis, and preparations for the great shave begin.
Chapter 20
The Plot
Shibli Bagarag devises a complex plot involving Feshnavat and Baba Mustapha to undermine Shagpat, while Noorna bin Noorka is tasked with a crucial role. The chapter emphasizes the need for guile and careful planning over brute force, as Shibli orchestrates a series of events leading to a confrontation in the King's hall.
Chapter 21
The Dish of Pomegranate Grain
Kadza, spouse of Shagpat, has a dream of danger to Shagpat and summons the genie Karaz, who scolds her for disturbing him. Meanwhile, Noorna bin Noorka and her father Feshnavat discuss the impending shaving of Shagpat, with Feshnavat expressing fear and doubt. Noorna reassures him and prepares to witness the event. The chapter ends with the people of the city clamoring for the sacrifice of Baba Mustapha after his attempt to shave Shagpat.
Chapter 22
The Burning of the Identical
In the great hall, the King and people of Shagpat engage in a ritual of abasement before Shagpat. Baba Mustapha is brought forth to attempt shaving Shagpat again, but the arrival of three kings from Oolb, Gaf, and Shiraz interrupts. When Baba Mustapha finally attempts the shave, the Identical rises up burning, hurling him back. Kadza calls for the wise woman Noorna, but she is nowhere to be found.
Chapter 23
The Flashes of the Blade
On the fourth morning, the Identical flame subsides and returns to Shagpat's hair. The people and kings marvel at the spectacle. Shibli Bagarag, with Noorna's aid, begins shaving Shagpat, causing earthquakes and celestial flashes. The genie Karaz and Queen Rabesqurat intervene, creating illusions of Shagpat, but Abarak's pellet from Aklis reveals the true Shagpat. The battle continues with Koorookh and the blade's flashes.
Chapter 24
Conclusion
The conclusion describes the aftermath of Shibli Bagarag's successful shaving of Shagpat, including the feasting and celebration, the restoration of towns, the reunion with Noorna, the marriage contract, and the distribution of rewards. It reflects on the cyclical nature of illusion and the necessity of combatting folly, and notes the fates of various characters such as Baba Mustapha becoming King of Oolb, Kadza departing with Shagpat, and the diminished power of Rabesqurat.
