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Cover of Hassan : the story of Hassan of Bagdad, and how he came to make the golden journey to Samarkand : a play in five acts

Hassan : the story of Hassan of Bagdad, and how he came to make the golden journey to Samarkand : a play in five acts

Written by James Elroy Flecker

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About this book

"Hassan: the story of Hassan of Bagdad, and how he came to make the golden journey to Samarkand" by James Elroy Flecker is a play in five acts written during the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around Hassan, a humble confectioner in Baghdad, who finds himself entwined in a tumultuous pursuit of love and respect. The story explores the dynamics of ambition, enchantment, and the complexities of human desire against a vividly portrayed Middle Eastern backdrop. The opening of the play introduces Hassan, who is in despair over his unrequited love for Yasmin, a beautiful widow. His friend Selim insists on lightening his mood, but Hassan is determined to pursue Yasmin, leading to discussions about magic and a love potion that might win her heart. His longing is intense, yet he is conflicted by his humble status and sense of self-worth. As he prepares elaborate sweets infused with magic to impress Yasmin, he showcases both his artistic spirit and vulnerability. The stage is set for a tale of love, ambition, and the interplay of destiny as Hassan's life unfurls amidst comedic and tragic elements.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Hassan : the story of Hassan of Bagdad, and how he came to make the golden journey to Samarkand : a play in five acts, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • advanced
  • Tragic
  • Poetic
  • Exotic

James Elroy Flecker's "Hassan" is a five-act play set in a lavish yet cruel medieval Baghdad, following the journey of Hassan, a humble confectioner and poet. Initially driven by unrequited love for the courtesan Yasmin, Hassan's life takes a dramatic turn when he becomes entangled in the opulent and tyrannical court of the Caliph Harun al-Rashid. Witnessing the Caliph's aesthetic cruelty and the tragic fate of the lovers Pervaneh and Rafi, Hassan undergoes a profound disillusionment with worldly desires and the pursuit of power. The play culminates in Hassan's philosophical departure from Baghdad, embarking on a 'golden journey to Samarkand' with the poet Ishak, symbolizing a spiritual quest for beauty and truth beyond earthly suffering.

“We are the pilgrims, master; we shall go Always a little further: it may be Beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that golden sea.”

Key themes

Love and Desire
The play explores various facets of love: Hassan's initial unrequited and somewhat naive romantic love for Yasmin, the passionate and defiant love between Pervaneh and Rafi, and the destructive, possessive desire of the Caliph. Ultimately, the play suggests that true love transcends earthly suffering and even death, becoming a spiritual ideal.
Power and Tyranny
The absolute power of the Caliph Harun al-Rashid is a central theme, showcasing its corrupting influence and its capacity for arbitrary cruelty. The play depicts how unchecked authority can crush individual freedom, justice, and human dignity, contrasting it with the resilience of the human spirit.
Beauty and Art
Flecker explores the nature of beauty in its various forms: Hassan's artistic confectionery, Ishak's music, the physical beauty of Pervaneh, and the aesthetic appreciation of the Caliph. The play questions whether beauty can exist independently of morality, and whether the pursuit of beauty can lead to both creation and destruction.

Worth discussing

How does Hassan's journey from romantic love to philosophical disillusionment reflect a broader search for meaning?

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