The Arabian Nights: One Thousand and One Nights Lesson Plan

Why would Harun al-Raschid be unfamiliar with life in the city, and why might it be important for him to understand this?

Students will probably have the idea in their head that Harun al-Raschid, as Caliph, lives separated from the people that he rules, in the manner of many historical monarchs. In this, they are most likely right—although the position of Caliph is not simply equivalent to that of a king, Harun al-Raschid is not likely to know the lives of the people he governs. This is one reason why his grand-vizir refers to viewing the city as a "duty."

Doing this is important for Harun al-Raschid, not because he wants to get to know his subjects, but because...