How ‘Aladdin’ Came to Be

After the princess is nonetheless betrothed to the vizier’s son, Aladdin employs the lamp’s genie to prevent the consummation of the marriage, which is eventually annulled. In John Payne’s 19th-century version of Galland’s story, Aladdin finally ends up as sultan. In both its film versions, “Aladdin” shows us the consequences of living an inauthentic life, a life of existential bondage.

Source: www.washingtonpost.com