PART 1!

In 1-2 well-developed and well-detailed paragraphs, discuss one of the topics listed below.,Discuss the relationship between Rustem and Kai Kaous. How does Rustem’s belief in honor and his loyalty to the shah compare to other epic hero’s actions with regard to loyalty and obedience?

• Two major tenets of Zoroastrianism are duality (good versus evil) and the belief in free will/choice. Discuss how these concepts are reflected in the text we read.
• Discuss the representation of death in the text. How do heroes and their family die? What seems to happen after death? Compare this representation to one other text we have read.
• We are told of Saiawush that “neither would his virtues avail him aught, for these above all would lead him into destruction.” Discuss some ways the often-praised virtues of Persian warrior culture (ironically?) lead to tragic consequences for its heroes.
• While they are almost indestructible in battle, the warrior-heroes of Iran can prove vulnerable to guile and deceit (see, for example, Sudaveh’s devious efforts to “darken the mind of the Shah” against Saiawush—and of him we are told he is “void of guile”). Give other examples of deceit in the epic, and discuss its dangerous power.

part 2!

make sure you reply to or comment on at least TWO of your classmates’ posts. Each response should be detailed: a comment such as “good post” or “I don’t agree” is not developed; why is it good or why don’t you agree? Feel free to engage in dialogue with more students if you wish.

— This story holds death in much higher regard. Instead of death being cast off from the heroes of the story like Odysseus and Gilgamesh this story illustrates that death is always lurking. Death is compared to a lion stalking its prey waiting and watching. This is using the hardship and suffering everyone faces from birth until death. The death of Sohrab by his father had a tragic effect. The father unknowingly killed his own son and that combines the suffering from death and causing a death. The story project life after death as the end of suffering. When death occurs you are freed from all of it.

—In the Shahnameh, there is a lot of depth in the representation of death within the text, how heroes and their families die, and of what happens after death. I’m going to discuss the representation of death in the Shahnameh and then compare it to the text, The Odyssey. The Shahnameh introduces the history of Iran, from the beginning of creation to the upbringings of civilizations. There are few lasting images, as most sh?hs live normal lifespans. Father-Sun is an image representing loss, tragedy, and death. Amongst the cycles of creation in the text, scenes of family hatred can be seen, such as Sh?h Fereyd?n’s two eldest sons showing ill will towards their younger brother and eventually killing him. The prince’s death is avenged by his son, and it’s evident that there is this constant cycle of jealousy, revenge, and murder throughout the Shahnameh. Pain and suffering seem to be prominent themes. When Rostam shot an arrow into Shugdad and killed him, he stated “Thanks be unto God, the Merciful, whom all my days I have sought to serve, that He hath granted unto me to avenge myself upon this wretch while the life is yet in me, and ere two nights have passed over this vengeance.” Then the text says he vanished from this world. This shows that there is another place which is believed to be where souls go after death. The theme of death can be seen throughout the Odyssey as well. The suitors plotted to kill Odysseus, for they wanted to marry Penelope. This wish is stemmed by greed. There is also the sense of one being dead when Odysseus is held captive and unable to leave. Without having his own free will he essentially felt dead inside, while his family and homeland were enduring chaos in his absence.