The Shaving of Shagpat · Chapter
The Thwackings explained
Shibli Bagarag, nephew of Baba Mustapha, arrives at the city of Shagpat in a state of hunger and despair.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Illusion vs. Reality
The old woman's transformation into a youthful figure and the comparison to Bhanavar the Beautiful blur the lines between appearance and reality, questioning what is true.
Deception and Guile
The Vizier and Noorna employ cunning and prophecy to manipulate Shibli into undertaking the shaving of Shagpat, using both flattery and hidden motives.
The Heroic Journey and Self-Discovery
Shibli's journey from hunger and despair to being chosen for a great task reflects the early stages of a heroic quest, where he must discover his destiny.
Characters to notice
- Shibli Bagarag
Arrives at the city of Shagpat, hungry and despairing, but is inspired by the old woman's prophecy and the Vizier's offer to assist in shaving Shagpat.
- Noorna bin Noorka
Appears first as an old crone who prophesies to Shibli, then later as the Vizier's daughter, sumptuously arrayed and appearing younger, resembling Bhanavar the Beautiful.
- Feshnavat
The Vizier of the city, who reveals his enmity toward Shagpat and enlists Shibli's help, introducing his daughter Noorna.
- Shagpat
The clothier and enemy of the Vizier, whose shaving is prophesied to bring greatness to Shibli.
- Baba Mustapha
Shibli's uncle, a renowned barber in Shiraz, mentioned as a reference for Shibli's craft.
- Bhanavar the Beautiful
Legendary figure to whom Noorna is compared; Shibli begins to narrate her story.
Key passages
“The destined hand doth strike the fated blow: Surely the arrow's fitted to the bow!”
The person meant to act will inevitably perform the destined deed, just as an arrow is made for its bow.
Shibli uses this poetic couplet to affirm his role in the Vizier's plan against Shagpat.
“Chance is a poor knave; Its own sad slave; Two meet that were to meet: Life's no cheat.”
Coincidence is a weak master; it serves itself. When two people are meant to meet, they do, and life is not deceptive.
The Vizier responds to Shibli with this verse, emphasizing the inevitability of their alliance.
“Ripe with oft telling and old is the tale, But 'tis of the sort that can never grow stale.”
Though the story is old and often repeated, it remains ever fresh and engaging.
The narrator introduces the tale of Shibli Bagarag as a timeless classic.