The Essential Tawfiq al-Hakim

Great Egyptian Writers

Denys Johnson-Davies

• Publisher: The American University in Cairo Press
• Year: 2013
• eBook ISBN: 9781617971662
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Literature General
• Index: Literature

The importance of Tawfiq al-Hakim (1898 to 1989) to the emergence of a modern Arabic literature is second only to that of Naguib Mahfouz. If the latter put the novel among the genres of writing that are now an accepted part of literary production in the Arab world today, Tawfiq al-Hakim is recognized as the undisputed creator of a literature of the theater. In this volume, Tawfiq al-Hakim's fame as a playwright is given prominence. Of the more than seventy plays he wrote, The Sultan's Dilemma, dealing with a historical subject in an appealingly light-hearted manner, is perhaps the best known; it appears in the extended edition of Norton's World Masterpieces and was broadcast on the old Home Service of the BBC. The other full-length play included here, The Tree Climber, is one that reveals al-Hakim's openness to outside influences in this case, the absurdist mode of writing. Of the two one-act plays in this collection, The Donkey Market shows his deftness at turning a traditional folk tale into a hilarious stage comedy. Tawfiq al-Hakim produced several of the earliest examples of the novel in Arabic; included in this volume is an extract from his best known work in that genre, the delightful Diary of a Country Prosecutor, in which he draws on his own experience as a public prosecutor in the Egyptian countryside. Three of the many short stories he published are also included, as well as an extract from The Prison of Life, an autobiography in which Tawfiq al-Hakim writes with commendable frankness about himself. Contents: Introduction by Denys Johnson-Davies, The Sultan's Dilemma (full-length play), The Tree Climber (full-length play), The Donkey Market (one-act play), The Song of Death (one-act play), Diary of a Country Prosecutor (extract from the novel), Miracles for Sale (short story), The Prison of Life (extract from the autobiography), Azrael the Barber (short story), Satan Triumphs (short story).

The Sultan’s Dilemma

Cast

the SULTAN

the VIZIER

the CHIEF CADI

a BEAUTIFUL LADY

her MAIDSERVANT

an EMINENT SLAVE TRADER

the CONDEMNED MAN

the EXECUTIONER

the WINE MERCHANT

the MUEZZIN

the SHOEMAKER

UNKNOWN MAN

1ST LEADING CITIZEN

2ND LEADING CITIZEN

3RD LEADING CITIZEN

1ST MAN IN CROWD

2ND MAN IN CROWD

MOTHER

CHILD

TOWNSPEOPLE

GUARDS

SULTAN’S RETINUE

ACT ONE

An open space in the city during the time of the Mamluk Sultans. On one side there is a mosque with a minaret; on the other, a tavern. In the center is a house with a balcony. Dawn is about to break and silence reigns. A stake has been set up to which a MAN, condemned to death, has been tied. His EXECUTIONER is nearby trying to fight off sleep.

CONDEMNED MAN [contemplating the EXECUTIONER]: Getting sleepy? Of course you are. Congratulations. Sleep well. You’re not awaiting something that will spoil your peace of mind.

EXECUTIONER: Quiet!

CONDEMNED MAN: And so—when is it to be?

EXECUTIONER: I told you to be quiet.

CONDEMNED MAN [pleadingly]: Tell me truly when it’s to be? When?

EXECUTIONER: When are you going to stop disturbing me?

CONDEMNED MAN: Sorry. It is, though, something that particularly concerns me. When does this event—a joyous one for you—take place?

EXECUTIONER: At dawn. I’ve told you this more than ten times. At dawn I’ll carry out the sentence on you. Now do you understand? So let me enjoy a moment’s peace.

CONDEMNED MAN: Dawn? It’s still far off, isn’t it, Executioner?

EXECUTIONER: I don’t know.

CONDEMNED MAN: You don’t know?

EXECUTIONER: It’s the Muezzin who knows. When he goes up to the minaret of this mosque and gives the call to the dawn prayer, I’ll raise my sword and swipe off your head—those are the orders. Happy now?

CONDEMNED MAN: Without a trial? I haven’t yet been put on trial, I haven’t yet appeared before a judge.

EXECUTIONER: That’s nothing to do with me.

CONDEMNED MAN: For sure, you have nothing to do with anything except my execution.

EXECUTIONER: At dawn, in furtherance of the Sultan’s orders.

CONDEMNED MAN: For what crime?

EXECUTIONER: That’s not my affair.

CONDEMNED MAN: Because I said . . . .

EXECUTIONER: Quiet! Quiet! Shut your mouth—I have been ordered to cut off your head right away if you utter a word about your crime.

CONDEMNED MAN: Don’t be upset, I’ll shut my mouth.

EXECUTIONER: You’ve done well to shut your mouth and leave me to enjoy my sleep. It’s in your interest that I should enjoy a quiet and peaceful sleep.

CONDEMNED MAN: In my interest?

EXECUTIONER: Certainly, it’s in your interest that I should be completely rested and in excellent health, both in body and mind; because when I’m tired, depressed, and strung up, my hand shakes, and when it shakes I perform my work badly.

CONDEMNED MAN: And what’s your work to me?

EXECUTIONER: Fool! My work has to do with your neck. Poor performance means your neck will not be cleanly cut, because a clean cut requires a steady hand and calm mind so that the head may fly off at a single blow, allowing you no time to feel any sensation of pain. Do you understand now?

CONDEMNED MAN: Of course, that’s quite right.

EXECUTIONER: You see! Now you must be quite convinced why it is necessary that you should let me rest; also, to bring joy to my heart and raise my morale.

CONDEMNED MAN: Your morale? Yours?

EXECUTIONER: Naturally, if I were in your shoes . . . .

CONDEMNED MAN: O God, take him at his word! I wish you were in my shoes.

EXECUTIONER: What are you saying?

CONDEMNED MAN: Carry ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Halftitle Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Plays
• Novel
• Short Stories
• Autobiography