“Aladdin” is a classic Disney tale set in the mystical city of Agrabah. The story begins with a pair of shady characters in the desert. The leader, Jafar, is attempting to open the Cave of Wonders. He sends a poor street beggar to enter, but the beggar fails. The guardian of the Cave of Wonders declares that only the “Diamond in the Rough” can enter. Using his magic, Jafar determines that this special person is a street rat in Agrabah.
Meanwhile, the Sultan’s daughter, Jasmine, is disheartened because her father insists she marry soon. Seeking freedom, she leaves the palace to explore the market. There, she meets Aladdin, the very street rat Jafar is searching for, and his pet monkey, Abu. Aladdin shows Jasmine kindness, and when they are caught stealing by the guards, she reveals her true identity and demands Aladdin’s release. However, the guards are under Jafar’s orders and cannot comply. Jasmine confronts Jafar, who deceitfully tells her that Aladdin has been executed.
In reality, Jafar disguises himself as an old man and informs Aladdin about the Cave of Wonders. He promises a reward if Aladdin retrieves a lamp. Aladdin agrees, and upon arriving at the cave, the guardian warns him to touch nothing but the lamp. Aladdin and Abu manage to find the lamp, but Abu’s attempt to take a gem causes the cave to collapse. They narrowly escape with the help of a magic carpet, but Jafar betrays them, trying to seize the lamp and leave them behind. Aladdin and Abu survive but are trapped inside the cave.
While examining the lamp, Aladdin rubs it, releasing a magical Genie who offers him three wishes. Aladdin cleverly gets them out of the cave without using a wish. Once outside, he tells the Genie about his troubles with Jasmine. The Genie suggests making him a prince to win her heart. Aladdin uses his first wish to become Prince Ali.
Back in Agrabah, Jafar tries to manipulate the Sultan into arranging a marriage between himself and Jasmine to become Sultan. Before he succeeds, Aladdin, now as Prince Ali, interrupts. The Sultan is pleased with the prospect of Aladdin marrying Jasmine, but she resists. Despite Genie’s advice, to be honest, Aladdin continues pretending to be Prince Ali and takes Jasmine on a romantic magic carpet ride. Jasmine becomes suspicious, and Aladdin lies, saying he likes to pretend to be a commoner.
Upon their return, Jafar captures Aladdin, chains him, and throws him into the ocean. Aladdin uses his second wish to save his life. He returns to the palace to expose Jafar’s plot. Jafar, realizing Aladdin has the lamp, has his parrot, Iago, steal it. Using his first two wishes, Jafar becomes a Sultan and then a powerful sorcerer. He enslaves the Sultan and Jasmine, reveals Aladdin’s true identity, and banishes him to a frozen wasteland. With the magic carpet’s help, Aladdin returns to Agrabah and confronts Jafar.
In the ensuing battle, Jafar transforms into a giant serpent. When it seems Aladdin will lose, he taunts Jafar, saying the Genie is more powerful. Jafar uses his last wish to become an all-powerful Genie, but he is then confined to a lamp. The Genie sends Jafar and his lamp to the Cave of Wonders.
Aladdin and Jasmine reconcile, and instead of using his last wish to become a prince again, Aladdin sets the Genie free. In a gesture of love, the Sultan changes the law so Jasmine can marry whomever she chooses. Jasmine and Aladdin marry and live happily ever after.
The Original Tale of Aladdin
The original tale of Aladdin begins similarly to the Disney adaptation. Aladdin is a commoner when a man claiming to be his late father’s brother appears. In reality, this man is a sorcerer aiming to deceive Aladdin. The sorcerer convinces Aladdin to leave his mother and become a merchant. However, the sorcerer’s true intention is to have Aladdin enter a booby-trapped cave to retrieve a magic oil lamp.
Once inside the cave, the sorcerer attempts to double-cross Aladdin. Aladdin escapes but becomes trapped in the cave. He uses a magic ring given to him by the sorcerer to summon a genie. With the Genie’s help, Aladdin retrieves the lamp and returns home to his mother. When his mother tries to clean the lamp, a much more powerful genie appears.
Aladdin uses this new Genie to gain immense wealth and marries the Sultan’s daughter, Badroulbadour. He also builds a magnificent palace. The sorcerer eventually returns and tricks Badroulbadour into giving him the lamp, unaware of its true value. The sorcerer uses the Genie to take everything Aladdin has.
Despite this setback, Aladdin uses the lesser Genie to defeat the sorcerer and reclaim his wife and possessions. However, the sorcerer’s even more powerful and evil brother seeks revenge. Disguised as an old healing woman, he gains access to the palace through Badroulbadour’s hospitality.
Fortunately, the Genie warns Aladdin of the impending danger. Aladdin is able to slay the evil brother, saving himself and his wife. Eventually, Aladdin takes over the Sultan’s throne and lives happily ever after with Badroulbadour.
Both tales have many things in common. In both, Aladdin is tricked into obtaining the Genie, as well as using the Genie to get the girl. Both have the villain also use the Genie to attack Aladdin. The original tale has two genies, though. And the Disney version focuses much more on the romance of the tale. Also, the Disney version does not kill the villain, whereas the original tale has Aladdin kill not only one villain but two.