Written in stone Ev'ry rule, ev'ry word Centuries old And unbendingAladdin · 2019 — Chapter 20 of 24 · 4'07" · B2
Jasmine Turns Hakim Against Jafar, Explained: written in stone
Jasmine has just defied Jafar in song and been ordered away, so she spends her last moment winning over the guard. She reminds Hakim where he came from and asks, "Will you stand silent while Jafar destroys our beloved kingdom... or will you do what is right?"
What happens
After her defiant song, Jasmine is ordered arrested. Instead of leaving quietly, she turns to Hakim, the captain of the guard, and makes him an argument he cannot dodge: he was a poor boy once, he has become a loyal soldier, and now he must choose between duty and honour. When she calls Jafar unworthy of him, Hakim kneels and orders the vizier arrested.
Listen for
written in stonestand silentstand withworthy of
00:00 / 04:07Space play · ← → lines · R repeat
Now
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Phrase of the scene
written in stone
白纸黑字、不可更改；已成定局
茉莉在歌里说，那些流传百年的规矩被写成不可更改的样子，但这个故事即将迎来结局。
The plan isn't written in stone, we can still change it.
Also in this scene
- stand silent
stay quiet and do nothing
- stand with
publicly support someone
- worthy of
deserving of respect or trust
Everything marked in this scene
25 notes across 46 lines
"Stay in your place Better seen and not heard" Well, now that story Is endingSo come on and try Try to shut me And cut me downI won't be silenced You can't keep me quietfuture passive
I won't be silenced You can't keep me quietAll I know is I won't go speechless SpeechlessLet the storm inliaison
Let the storm inTry to lock me In this cage I won't just lay me down And dieI will take These broken wingsthough-clause
Though you wanna see me Tremble when you try itWhen they try To suffocate me Don't you underestimate meBut you have risen up to become our most trusted soldier.But you have risen up to become our most trusted soldier.As a man, I know you to be both loyal and just.not always
Duty isn't always honor.gerund as complement
Our greatest challenge isn't speaking up against our enemies...deserving of respect or trust
Jafar is not worthy of your admiration nor your sacrifice.I wish nothing but glory for the kingdom of Agrabah.And you would win it off the backs of my people!but it's up to you.flap
but it's up to you.stay quiet and do nothing
Will you stand silent while Jafar destroys our beloved kingdom...publicly support someone
and stand with the people of Agrabah?elision
and stand with the people of Agrabah?Jasmine Turns Hakim Against Jafar, explained
What's really going on
The song has done its work on the crowd; now Jasmine has to work on one man. Her speech aims at a single weak point: Hakim's belief that following orders is the same as doing right. She reminds him that he came from the people and rose to be their most trusted soldier, then reframes the decision as a matter of honour rather than rank. Her key move is to separate duty from honour, which lets him disobey without seeing himself as disloyal. When she asks, "Will you stand silent while Jafar destroys our beloved kingdom..." she names the cowardice he would have to live with. He kneels, and the guard turns on the vizier.
Theme
DutyThe speech splits duty from honour, letting a loyal soldier disobey without feeling like a traitor.
PowerJafar holds the throne's authority, but one guard's choice is enough to end it.
Listen for
- Let the storm in — liaison
- up to you — flap
- stand with — elision
Our greatest challenge isn't speaking up against our enemies...The hardest test is not facing an obvious foe but resisting the people whose good opinion we most want, aimed straight at Hakim's loyalty to Jafar.
Will you stand silent while Jafar destroys our beloved kingdom...A direct challenge: staying quiet is not neutral, it is choosing a side, and she forces Hakim to see it that way.
I wish nothing but glory for the kingdom of Agrabah.A lofty claim immediately exposed as self-serving, the language of ambition dressed up as patriotism.
But now you have to choose.The pivot of the speech: the soldier's record makes him trusted, and that is exactly why his silence would count.
Jafar is not worthy of your admiration nor your sacrifice.A blunt verdict on the vizier, denying him the loyalty he has been collecting from the guard.
Questions about this scene
Why does Jasmine sing before speaking?
Because the song reaches the crowd, not just Jafar. By the time she turns to Hakim the room has already seen her defiance, and he knows others are watching his choice.
What argument convinces Hakim to turn on Jafar?
She separates duty from honour. He can stay loyal in the deeper sense by protecting the people, rather than obeying a vizier who is using him.
Why does she mention Hakim's father?
To remind him that he comes from the people he now polices. The contrast between his humble start and his rise is meant to make standing with Agrabah feel like coming home.
What does "duty isn't always honour" mean here?
It means that doing what you are ordered to do is not the same as doing what is right. It gives Hakim permission to refuse an order without believing he has betrayed his post.
Aladdin · 24 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 21the ends of the earthJafar Exposes Aladdin
Chapter 1The diamond in the roughThe Mariner Tells Aladdin's Story
Chapter 2one jump aheadAladdin's One Jump Ahead Chase
Chapter 3Come and go as we pleaseAladdin Shares His Rooftop Home
Chapter 4Remember your placeJafar Manipulates the Sultan
Chapter 5like you own the placeAladdin Sneaks into the Palace
Chapter 6nothing comes for freeJafar Offers Aladdin a Deal
Chapter 7see the light of dayAladdin Enters the Cave of Wonders
Chapter 8ring a bellGenie Explains the Three Wishes
Chapter 9the cherry on topAladdin Becomes Prince Ali
Chapter 10weak in the kneesPrince Ali's Grand Parade
Chapter 11out of the gamePrince Ali's Awkward First Impression
Chapter 12see right through someoneAladdin Panics as Prince Ali
Chapter 13in a charming sort of a wayA Prince Calls on the Princess
Chapter 14crystal clearAladdin's Magic Carpet Ride
Chapter 15shine throughJafar Unveils Aladdin's Lie
Chapter 16in the neighborhoodGenie Backdates a Wish to Save Aladdin
Chapter 17under a spellJasmine Exposes Jafar
Chapter 18live a lieGenie Confronts Aladdin's Lie
Chapter 19seen and not heardJafar Seizes the Sultan's Throne
Watching · Chapter 20written in stoneJasmine Turns Hakim Against Jafar
Chapter 21the ends of the earthJafar Exposes Aladdin
Chapter 22nothing withoutJasmine Grabs the Lamp
Chapter 23mark my wordsJafar Wishes to Be the Most Powerful
Chapter 24owe you everythingAladdin's Last Wish Frees the GenieChapter 20 of 24 · about 16 min to go