Experience, Fantasy, and Reality in WilliamBeckfords Vathek

This paper aims to examine William Beckford's Vathek (1786) in terms of the major impacts that have helped him to compose such a novel. The three main factors that influenced Beckford are: his experience during his residence at Fonthill Abbey; his interest and readings in translations of the Arabian tales, The Arabian Nights; and his combination of fantasy with the soberly sensual grace of Eastern imagery. Despite the fact that Vathek is an eccentric short novel, it is based on a realistic protagonist, Al-Wathek (A.D.815-846), the 9th Caliph of Abassid dynasty, known for his love of food, and his knowledge in music, poetry, astronomy and logic.