# Shibli Bagarag — The Shaving of Shagpat character guide > Shibli Bagarag in The Shaving of Shagpat by George Meredith. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Shibli, Shibli Bagarag of Shiraz **First appearance:** 0000-the-thwackings ## Snapshot A Shiraz barber plucked from obscurity by prophecy, he must shave the invincible Shagpat and become Master of the Event. ## Who they are Shibli Bagarag is a young barber whose vanity and hunger for greatness make him easy prey for an old woman's prophecy that he alone will shave Shagpat. He oscillates between resolve and doubt, wondering whether his mysterious instigator is a genie luring him to perdition or a benevolent fate. His credulous ambition and his genuine longing for renown drive him into the enchanted city, where the task awaiting him is far stranger than any barber's chair. ## Relationships ### [Noorna bin Noorka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/noorna_bin_noorka) _romantic_ Noorna is Shibli's devoted wife and magical mentor, guiding him through his quest with love and wisdom. ### [Shagpat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/shagpat) _rivalry_ Shagpat is the central antagonist whose magical hair must be shaved by Shibli, creating a direct conflict. ### [Princess Gulrevaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/princess_gulrevaz) _romantic_ Princess Gulrevaz is a beautiful enchantress who tempts and tests Shibli, creating romantic tension. ### [Mashalleed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/mashalleed) _rivalry_ Mashalleed is a powerful sorcerer who opposes Shibli's quest and seeks to maintain Shagpat's power. ### [Feshnavat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/feshnavat) _professional_ Feshnavat is a barber and mentor who instructs Shibli in the art of shaving and the magical properties of the task. ### [Abarak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/abarak) _friendship_ Abarak is a loyal ally and friend who aids Shibli on his journey with courage and resourcefulness. ### [Genie Karaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/genie_karaz) _rivalry_ Genie Karaz actively hinders Shibli's quest, using tricks and violence to protect Shagpat. ### [Shagpat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/shagpat) _rivalry_ Shagpat is the central antagonist whose magical hair must be shaved by Shibli, creating a direct conflict. ### [Noorna bin Noorka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/noorna_bin_noorka) _romantic_ Noorna is Shibli's devoted wife and magical mentor, guiding him through his quest with love and wisdom. ### [Noorna bin Noorka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/noorna_bin_noorka) _romantic_ Noorna is Shibli's devoted wife and magical mentor, guiding him through his quest with love and wisdom. ### [Mashalleed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/mashalleed) _rivalry_ Mashalleed is a powerful sorcerer who opposes Shibli's quest and seeks to maintain Shagpat's power. ### [Feshnavat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/feshnavat) _professional_ Feshnavat is a barber and mentor who instructs Shibli in the art of shaving and the magical properties of the task. ## In the story ### [The Thwackings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-thwackings) Arrives at the city of Shagpat, hungry and despairing, but is inspired by the old woman's prophecy and the Vizier's offer to assist in shaving Shagpat. ### [The Betrothal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-betrothal) The nephew of the barber, betrothed to Noorna; he is perplexed by her appearance but agrees to the betrothal and the quest to shave Shagpat. ### [The Genie Karaz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-genie-karaz) Eager to shave Shagpat immediately, but is counseled by Noorna and Feshnavat on the true difficulty of the task. ### [The Well of Paravid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-well-of-paravid) Completes his first task by bathing in the Well of Paravid and retrieving a jewel, showing bravery and earning Noorna's praise. ### [The Horse Garraveen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-horse-garraveen) Captures the horse Garraveen but succumbs to pride, disobeying Noorna's warning and losing the horse and the genie Karaz's service. ### [The Talking Hawk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-talking-hawk) The hero, guided by the hawk and the waters of Paravid, survives the genie Karaz's trap and reaches the shore. ### [Goorelka of Oolb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/goorelka-of-oolb) Shaves the King of Oolb and his court, uses the hawk's advice to trade for magical items, and attempts to steal the cockleshell from Princess Goorelka. ### [The Lily of the Enchanted Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-lily-of-the-enchanted-sea) Shibli rescues Goorelka from drowning, follows her to the peak, and is tricked into revealing himself. He uproots the Enchanted Lily on the hawk's advice and later recognizes Noorna in the transformed damsel. ### [The Wiles of Rabesqurat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-wiles-of-rabesqurat) Shibli is ensnared by Rabesqurat's enchantments, forgetting his betrothal to Noorna and nearly succumbing to the Queen's illusions. ### [The Palace of Aklis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-palace-of-aklis) Enters the Palace of Aklis, resists temptations of jewels and feasts, but is deceived by the damsels and crowned with a false crown. He later awakens an ancient king with the waters of Paravid. ### [The Sons of Aklis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-sons-of-aklis) Shibli is crowned king of asses and monkeys in Aklis, gaining insight into the nature of power and the perils of ambition. ### [The Sword of Aklis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-sword-of-aklis) Passes the trials of Aklis, grasps the Sword, and is reminded by Gulrevaz of his duty to rescue Noorna. ### [Koorookh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/koorookh) Peers through the glass eye, sees Shagpat and Feshnavat, uses the Sword to rescue Noorna, and is determined to shave Shagpat. ### [The Veiled Figure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-veiled-figure) Flashes the Sword, peers through the veil, and is horrified to see Rabesqurat. Loses his wits and laughs insanely; is pushed and guided by Abarak. ### [The Bosom of Noorna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-bosom-of-noorna) Rescued unconscious from the water by Noorna; revived in her bosom. ### [The Revival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-revival) Revived by Noorna and Feshnavat; awakens to his mission and summons the genii to locate Karaz. ### [The Plot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-plot) Devises the plot and instructs Feshnavat and the genii, emphasizing the need for subtlety and guile. ### [The Dish of Pomegranate Grain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-dish-of-pomegranate-grain) Betrothed to Noorna; mentioned as the one who will wield the Sword in the shaving. ### [The Flashes of the Blade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/the-flashes-of-the-blade) Prepares lather and shaves Shagpat with lightning sweeps of the blade, smiting through the Identical. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/chapters/conclusion) Master of the Event, restored towns, reunited with Noorna, and became ruler. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters/shibli_bagarag - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shaving_of_shagpat_se/characters