Why Is the Prince Disobedient - Essay Example

I'll conquer kingdoms, marry four celestial wives, and build my city” (Folktales from India). So, can the son be called disobedient?

Actually, the behavior of a father seems very strange and can be explained only by the epoch the tale was created in.  Usually, people want their children to be better than they are and have a better life. However, the father’s reaction was rather controversial: “What!” exploded the king. “Do better than me? You beast on two feet! You'll marry celestial wives? And do better than me?” (Folktales from India).  This testifies to the selfishness of the father and the desire to remain “the king” for his children even after his death. He does not want his children to be better which is very strange for a parent.

The son did his best to prove that he really can do what he promised his father to do. He meets an ugly old woman who helps him to win and lets him stay with her: “I may not look like it, but I'm the daughter of a great sage. Though he was a sage famous for his austere way of life, one day he went mad with lust and bothered my mother to no end. She didn't want to give in to his lust, for that would have canceled at once all his history as a sage. She tried to save him from himself. But he wouldn't listen. He took her by force, had his will of her, and satisfied himself. So I was born, ugly as sin” (Folktales from India). With the help of the woman, the prince managed to realize his plans. This testifies that he managed to find the associates and appeared to be brave and respectful. He went through many difficulties, overcame many obstacles, and reached his goal.

The Prince can be called disobedient because he refused to submit to his father and preferred to do something on his own and follow his own will. When he reached his goal, he came to his father to show that he managed to do what he wanted to do even against him. This testifies about the courage and cleverness of the Prince but testified about his wish to act on his own. Such behavior can be called disobedience.