Author:
Rima Redwan, Seminar für Semitistik und Arabistik (Seminar for Semitic and Arabic Studies), Freie Universität Berlin - Academia.edu, ORCID

Abstract: » Variants of 'The Malice of Women and the Malice of Men', known under the title of 'The Seven Sages', have circulated since the 9th century throughout the world and have been susceptible to various kinds of influence, be they religious, linguistic, or thematic. Moreover, the text functioned as a 'mirror for princes' and was entertaining for many readers, who were predominantly men. Comparing the existing Arabic manuscripts - Sprenger 1368 (Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin), Glaser 166 (Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin), and Paris arabe 3639 (Bibliothèque nationale de France) - this article aims to show variance among the Arabic versions of 'The Seven Viziers' and their implications for the theme of misogyny that runs through the book. The variance, this article argues, is one of degree and not kind. Special attention is given to certain structural (story corpus), linguistic, and thematic elements (associations to the story of Potiphar and his wife in the Qur'ān), all of which have implications for the theme of misogyny. Finally, the article looks into the reception of the text, especially by general readers, who used it to confirm their negative perception of women.« (Source: Das Mittelalter)

Contents:

	Abstract (p. 49)
	1 Introduction (p. 50)
	2 Arabic Manuscripts (p. 52)
		MS Sprenger 1368 (Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin) (p. 52)
		MS Glaser 166 (Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin) (p. 53)
		MS Arabe 3638 (Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France) (p. 53)
	3 The Function of the Story Corpus and Recurring Linguistic Elements (p. 54)
	4 The Potiphar's Wife Motif and the Qur'ānic Context (p. 60)
	5 Misogyny at Reception (p. 63)
	6 Conclusion (p. 64)
	Bibliography (p. 65)
		Sources (p. 65)
		Secondary Literature (p. 65)

Wikipedia: History of Asia: History of the Arabs | Literature: Rape in fiction / Seven Wise Masters | Sex and the law: Rape / History of rape