Module 8: Egypt & Shadow Puppetry

Question 1

Who was the “The Arab Aristophanes?”

Answer 1

Egyptian poet and playwright Ibn Daniyal

Question 2

How many shadow puppet plays did Ibn Daniyal write?

Answer 2

Three
1. “The Shadow Spirit” (concerning failed negotiations w/ an unscrupulous matchmaker)
2. “The Amazing Preacher and the Stranger” (simplest structure: intro and 22 fairly short scenes, each devoted to the presentation of a Cairo street performer)
3. “The Love-Stricken One and the One Who Inspires Passion” (complex structure resembles ARISTOPHANES. Literally ends w/ Angel of Death killing mc for his sins)

Question 3

How do all of Ibn Daniyal’s plays end?

Answer 3

They all end on a religious note, despite their raunchiness & vulgarity.

Question 4

Who is Marvin Carlson?

Answer 4

The author of “The Arab Aristophanes”

Question 5

How does Marvin Carlson argue that Ibn Daniyal is “The Arab Aristophanes?”

Answer 5

• Earthly material mixed with remarkable lyric poetry, blending style & subject.
• Mixing high poetic style with the most debased sexual and other bodily references.
• Daniyal’s third play arranged in complex pattern, similar to Aristophanes

Question 6

What are three shadow puppetry practices from across the world?

Answer 6

1. Indonesian wayang kulit
2. Chinese pí ying
3. Turkish karagöz