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What entity enforced the Genie's captivity?

posted 8 years ago by stellanera
4 replies | jump to latest

In other words: the Genie has immense power, but is governed by rules. He can't use his power unless he is commanded to by his master, he has to live in a lamp, etc. Obviously he is very annoyed by these rules but cannot change them. It begs the question: who or what is A) powerful, B) immortal, and C) insane enough to enforce this?

Bonus question: Another thread discussed a mostly related concept. Is the Genie bound by the rules he sets out for Aladdin at the beginning (can't kill anybody, can't make anybody fall in love, can't bring anybody back from the dead), or did he choose these rules? Interestingly enough, he says he cannot do any of these things, but implies that he has brought people back from the dead (it's not a pretty picture; I don't like doing it!). Does anybody else think that maybe the Genie added a third rule because he has OCD and everything has to be in threes?

Not that there's anything wrong with 3. It's a good number.

[–] Stratego 8 years ago

I'm sure that in traditional folklore genies (jinns) were created by the same entity that created the universe. According to Islam they were made from smokeless fire by Allah. However, these jinns were free-willed, so a genie who's imprisoned in a lamp, bottle or otherwise may have been condemned to such a fate as punishment.

[–] wielderofspoons 8 years ago

In other words: the Genie has immense power, but is governed by rules. He can't use his power unless he is commanded to by his master, he has to live in a lamp, etc. Obviously he is very annoyed by these rules but cannot change them. It begs the question: who or what is A) powerful, B) immortal, and C) insane enough to enforce this?

Whichever being or force created the Genie, but I don't think there's anything about the Genie's origins in any Disney-Aladdin stuff.

Interestingly enough, he says he cannot do any of these things, but implies that he has brought people back from the dead (it's not a pretty picture; I don't like doing it!).

Yeah, there's a bit of a contradiction in him using "can't" which implies he's never done it and never could, but then saying "I don't like doing it" which implies he has and can, but now just chooses not to.

"It wouldn't be a pretty picture and I don't want to do it" might have been a better version of the line.

Does anybody else think that maybe the Genie added a third rule because he has OCD and everything has to be in threes? Not that there's anything wrong with 3. It's a good number.

There are actually four rules, you missed no wishing for more wishes.

[–] stellanera 8 years ago

Ah damn, you're right! There technically are four rules. I guess I'm the one with OCD ;)

[–] eclipsed-bythe-moon 8 years ago

Interesting point. Have you watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer? This reminds me of Willow's exploration of magic. She becomes a very powerful witch who can raise the dead, but learns the hard way that there are "rules" in Wicca against such magicks. This is because of the cosmic consequences that come from using dark magic. The Genie implies that raising the dead would bring about a zombie or non-human rather than the actual person when he transforms into that creepy dead guy. Maybe that's what he means by "can't".