# XIV: Olaj Beg explained — The Slaves of the Padishah

> Chapter companion for The Slaves of the Padishah by Mór Jókai.

## What happens

Mariska Sturdza, fleeing from the Turks, collapses at the feet of Prince Apafi and his wife in the palace courtyard. Apafi is terrified of the political consequences, but Princess Apafi insists on sheltering her. The Turkish envoy Olaj Beg arrives to demand Mariska's surrender. Through a mix of feigned piety and veiled threats, Olaj Beg grants Apafi a single day before he must hand her over. Apafi, feeling mocked and humiliated, struggles with his impotence and rage, ultimately deciding to summon his council to deliberate on the matter.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Corruption

The chapter illustrates the corrupting and emasculating nature of power, as Apafi, a Prince, is reduced to a state of impotent rage and humiliation by the Turkish envoy Olaj Beg.

### Gender and Agency

Princess Apafi demonstrates agency and moral courage by defying her husband and the political pressures of the state to shelter Mariska, while Mariska herself is a victim with little control over her fate.

### Fate and Death

Olaj Beg uses the language of fate and divine will to justify his demands, arguing that life and death are predetermined and that his actions are merely fulfilling a higher purpose.

## Character check-ins

### Mariska

Flees to the Prince's palace in a desperate state, collapsing at his feet and pleading for refuge.

### Michael Apafi

The Prince of Transylvania, torn between his duty to the Sultan and his conscience, he is terrified and humiliated by the Turkish envoy.

### Princess Apafi

Shows great courage and humanity, defying her husband's fears to shelter Mariska and ordering the palace gates closed against the Turkish soldiers.

### Olaj Beg

The Turkish envoy who arrives to claim Mariska. He uses a mix of religious platitudes and threats to pressure Apafi, mocking his authority.

## Key lines

> “For the love of God,” cried the agitated Prince, “why did you come here? You have destroyed the state and me; you have brought ruin on yourself and on us.”

The Prince, in a panic, tells Mariska that her arrival has ruined both him and the entire state.

_Apafi's immediate reaction is to see Mariska as a political catastrophe, not a person in need._

> “Better perish for the sake of a woman than do that woman to death. If you shut your rooms against her, I will open mine wide to receive her, and then you can tell the Sultan if you like that I have taken her.”

Princess Apafi declares she would rather die than abandon Mariska, and threatens to shelter her herself if her husband refuses.

_The Princess's defiance highlights her moral strength in contrast to her husband's political fear._

> “Fret not thyself, my dear son! In no case will it be earlier than tomorrow morning.”

Olaj Beg mockingly reassures Apafi that he will not take Mariska until the next day.

_The Beg's condescending tone and the short timeframe reveal his contempt for the Prince's authority._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_the_padishah_se/chapters/xiv-olaj-beg
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_the_padishah_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_the_padishah_se/chapters