A Possible Literary Prototype of "The Tale of Paridegi"

This study aims to individuate a prototype of the Korean folk tale and shamanist song
known as Paridegi sŏrhwa (The Tale/Myth/Song of Paridegi). Despite its background
having been diffused in many oral literatures, I propose a possible derivation of the
tale of Paridegi from an old folk-narrative of Indo/Iranic and Middle Asian origin
that was adapted in an Islamic context before being included in the famous folktale
collection The Arabian Nights. The main character of the Western tale is Princess
Parizade of Persia, who goes through a series of adventures whose dynamic structure
is very similar to that of the Korean “Tale of Paridegi.” On the basis of linguistic,
historical concordances and other element concerning the content of both stories,
I hypothesize the direct influence of this Indo/Iranic tale on the basis of the process
that led in Korea to the formation of the various versions of the myth and ritual of
Paridegi.