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Who is the main character of "Aladdin"?

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[quote="Salukfan"][quote]1.I think those BS skills definitely run in the family. I think what he told Aladdin is what he wanted to do. At that point, Aladdin was a wee bit perturbed that his father just watched him risk his life to live, especially after he just "saved" his when Sa'luk was ready to slice n' dice him. I guess he figured that his father would have found another way to spare him from the wrath of the 40 thieves considering he is the king and just found his only son that was the risk of dying. So, telling Aladdin something like along the lines of "I did go back for you guys" would give him a bit more of a sympathetic look, which worked because part of me wants to believe it's true, but the other part doesn't think it is. It's still up in the air, but for right now no, I don't think it was true. Especially since he said he would have done anything to get Aladdin's mother back. Did he forget what she looks like? That's a lie, lol. [/quote]

Lol, that is one UGLY bitch!

And I think Aladdin's anger was less directed at Cassim's action of the challenge (as it was about the only way to save him... Sa'luk would have diced Aladdin, doubtless), but more so at the fact that Aladdin (thought he) killed Sa'luk.  Aladdin has only "killed" a few individuals, and never by direct contact.  I'm thinking Aziz and the Shaman only.  He doesn't seem to get really pissed until he sees that dagger in the rock on the way up.  Of course, it's also a mix of the irrational expectations he had for Cassim going into that lair... You know, I really thought I was going somewhere with that... or did I reach it?

[quote]2. Hypocrite is such a, such a strong word, lol. To me, I think the line "we never hurt the innocent" is a little ironic.  The thieves didn't hurt any of those innocent rich folks, but the thieves weren't innocent considering they were doing the raid, so a few of them got "physically" hurt when Genie zapped a few.  Aladdin rescued his father by defying the Sultan's orders, so he is not innocent in that situation. Therefore, he got hurt when Cassim decided to run away and walk out on him again. But, that's just me and my constant quest to find/make everything an irony or ironic.[/quote]

I think the irony you're hinting at is a big motivating factor for Sa'luk and his opinion of Cassim's leadership.  But more on that in part three.

The real problem with trying to discuss this is that we don't know what Cassim defines as "innocent".  A moment I keep referring to in trying to answer this question has been the way he talks to Aladdin in the cavern.  "You don't know what it's like to have nothing.  To stare up at the palace and know you deserve more.  To be called street rat."  He comes off as bitter in that moment.  Perhaps he sees the wealthy in general as being *guilty* of the crime of not allowing him social growth and keeping him down?  His statement might just be referring to ignoring larger raids, in cities more filled with lower class citizens?  I don't think this came out as I wanted it too, but I'm just trying to hit the point that his definition of innocence could be mutated/corrupted.

[quote]3. Even though I know this will never happen, they should jointly run the KoT since they both do it anyway. Sa'luk is more about tradition and history because apparently what the 40 thieves were was special to him. It's pretty hard to be a big guy running around with guys who sing songs with pink ribbons. I think it's important to know where you come from because it makes up who you are. Sa'luk is like that one guy that wants things to go back to how they were because it looked better for him because he fit in better to that former role rather than the one that Cassim has them in now. Cassim to me, when he has on his 40 thieves outfit, is as if he is putting on a new role-Cassim: The King and Leader of the Forty Thieves, and for that I say he is more about pride and stature. As he mentioned in the film, he wanted a better life for his family and couldn't get it. So him being able to preside over a group of people, to me, is like him filling that gap of being able to provide for someone else that he couldn't do for his family, and I'd say he is pretty proud of that and what he has accomplished. He changed how people saw things, and showed them that being ruthless cutthroats isn't the only way to gain respect, yet have people fear you. The former reputation of the past thieves (cause I think it's a generation thing) was enough. "Worse than demons; these are the 40 thieves." That reputation lives on without enforcing it. Now if there was a way to balance both tradition/history and pride/stature, all would be well. But since it isn't, catastrophic hell will break lose. So, my answer is either one would make a fine king to me because they both have qualities that a king needs to be.[/quote]

But how long can the reputation thrive without Cassim adding anything to it?  Not to go off-tangent, but I disagree the theory that Cassim was king right away, which I've seen in some fanfictions.  I see the Forty Thieves as more military-like, with seconds-in-command, a system of rank, etc.  The whole idea of "kill the king and become the king" is insane to me.  I don't think that challenge the King would be that accepted.  It seems likes Cassim took a defacto vote about the Challenge, which implies some level of democracy.  But back to the point.

I agree with you that a combination of the two in the position of authority would be the best way to go.  I think the main reason it doesn't happen is Cassim's attitude toward the power.   The whole picture-on-the-wall thing does it to me.  He thinks he's God to these men or something.  His power over them isn't so much a sign of a desire to care, IMO, as it is a sign of his desire to be admired.  He wants adulation for himself, not what's best for the group.  And Sa'luk appears to be the only one who has the balls to call him on it.  Sa'luk has more humility; he doesn't stand over the code, editing to suit whatever moral fiber that guides him, but instead seems to want the power to reinforce it; he bows to it, not the other way around.

I'm honestly not sure how to read Cassim's line about the group. "They're my family... my only family.  I can always count on them."  Count on them how?  To admire him?  To give him  praise no matter what he does?  To do a bit of a paraphrase from Lilo and Stitch, Cassim needs to put on some humble shoes.[/quote]

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