Although The Sandman’s design hints at mysticism and fiction, the descriptions of the caliph’s palace are correct. Most of what the novel claims, especially before Al Raschid begins his quest, are backed by historical evidence. In the opening page on pleasure, the descriptions of boys, “Also there were many beautiful boys, their chins still hairless, their dark eyes wanton and lustful, savory as apricots plucked in the dew” , are not unlike the description of poets lover found in the collection poetry from the Arabic Literature Anthology: “Your face is the full moon, your eyes those of desert gazelles…” The focus of eyes being a trait particularly appealing in boys is a detail the book does not ignore. Another detail is the importance of wine. …show more content…
Wine is a noticeable element in The Sandman as well, being offered to the caliph, then by the caliph to the lord of the sleep. In both texts, wine seems to be a token of pleasure, which is a focus of the court in both the novel and the poetry. Wine also plays an important role in the Tale of the Hunchback, which is strongly alluded to in the novel. The third detail is not fully fleshed out in the graphic novel but still prevalent. In The History of Al-Tabari’s chapter on the Caliphate of Hárún Al Rashid, Rashid’s wife is hardly mentioned, except for one scene in which she is refered to like entertainment and property rather than a wife. This nature of thought, seems reflected in the novel, with the concubine’s skin being named like flavors and later when Raschid swiftly dismisses his wife, seemingly because her only purpose for him is