Investigating the presence of non-human beings in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh

Master's Thesis in Persian Language and Literature (M.A)

Abstract:

The examination of the role of animals in the Shahnameh and their place in the stories is so exciting that the reader of the Shahnameh learns from its study that some of these creatures and animals in the process National epics have a fundamental function and role, and from their relationship with the warriors, it can be understood that Ferdowsi did not ignore the myths of ancient nations and past peoples in which humans had a connection and solidarity with animals and birds, and he depicted the love and affection in living beings as well. In this research, we intend to examine the presence of most of the living beings that have played and play a fundamental role in the Shahnameh.

Keywords: living beings, non-human living beings, Shahnameh, Ferdowsi

Chapter One

research generalities

Introduction

Due to the power of reasoning granted to him, man realizes that one day he will die against his will. Realizing this separation from his loved ones causes some kind of anxiety in him. Over the centuries, man has tried to overcome this separation by loving God, drowning in luxury, creating art and loving his fellow man in various ways and according to his situation. For early humans who lived in caves, worshiping animals and other living things and communicating with them was the best way to overcome separation [1]. Looking at the first periods, we find out that primitive man has a strange, but clear perception of nature and the world; In his mythological vision, natural phenomena have intelligence and will, and therefore they contribute and are involved in the fate of mankind. This belief causes the connection of humans with animals and other living things, the status and place of animals and living things was very valuable and noble in his eyes, so he sought benefit from them not only in material life, but also in spiritual life, he knew the secrets of immortality and nature.[2] In the realm of creation, animals are second in value after humans, and they are valuable not only in Iranian myths, but also in myths of other countries. Perhaps the root of their value can be traced back to the childhood of the human race, which needed them for the daily needs of life. In Avesta, due to the influence of culture and religious and mythological beliefs before Zoroastrianism, animals have been praised and among the animals praised in Avesta, birds have a special place. [3]

John Ferdowsi is full of love and affection He has depicted the talent of Mehrarzi not only in his beloved fighters, but also in animals and some living things.[4] In the Shahnameh, which is a reflection of the myths, the life of primitive and ancient Iranian societies, animals and other living things are of great importance and are out of their normal characteristics and status.

By studying the Shahnameh, we find out that Ferdowsi, along with famous warriors such as Fereydun, Zal, Rostam and Siavash, and animals such as Gaubarmayeh, Simorgh (as a bird), Rakhsh and Behzad Arode Their connection in the course of the story is so strong that mentioning the name of each of these warriors brings to mind the animal associated with them. The reason for this should be sought in the life of primitive societies; A time when animals and other living things play an essential role in their lives and are connected with them. In the Shahnameh, which reflects the myths and the life of primitive societies, Ferdowsi did not ignore the principle of the oneness of humans with animals in his childhood. In his opinion, animals have a special place and appear side by side with heroes in the story and are related to them. is also mentioned. These animals are an integral part of the stories of the Shahnameh. Therefore, according to the influence of these animals in the stories, characters, and lives of the heroes of the Shahnameh, they have been investigated. These animals include horses, elephants, zebras, snakes, which are real, and Simorgh and the like, which are mythological, as well as demons, white demons, dragons, etc. That seems like an illusion.(Ferdoosi, 1374: 56)

Also, the animals that are mentioned as symbols, including the lion, which is a symbol of courage, in the story of Rostam and Esfandiar:

This is how he answered Esfandiar, who is known as a lion with a bare heart (Ferdoosi, 1374: 57)

Or a creature like a demon in the Shahnameh, which seems to be an illusion, is mentioned in Rostam and Esfandiar's story. Dragon, which in Farsi has other forms such as "dragon", "dragon", "dragon". It is a huge snake with a wide open mouth, which the Arabs call a snake. This wonderful Marsan animal is the guardian of treasures, which is on treasures in shops, tents, at the source of water, also the dragon can be a secret code. which prevent the conventional harmony and connection of unconsciousness (Rastegar Fasaei, 1379, p. 187).

1-3 The importance and necessity of conducting research

The Iranian speaker Ferdowsi Toosi, apart from keeping alive the name of Iran and Iranians, plays a great and undeniable role in remembering the ancient rituals of this border and land. has had The Arabs of the Jahili era viewed hunting more as a way of meeting daily needs than as entertainment, and after defeating the Sassanians, we see the introduction of elements such as the use of "yuz" and "baz" in the Arabic poetry of Nakhjirgani, which were not very common among the Bedouins before Islam. Although Shahnameh is known as a mythological, heroic and historical work, it contains important information about the natural environment of ancient Iran. The names of animals have been mentioned many times in the words of Ferdowsi and the clauses of the Shahnameh;

However, no research has been done regarding the use of animals in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, so it is important to investigate the issue.

1-4 aspects of novelty and innovation in research:

Given that so far no research has been done on the presence of human beings in the Shahnameh and their role and influence, so this topic is new and has innovation.

1-5 specific objectives

Knowing the place of the use of non-human beings in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh

Symbolic examination of the animals and their prominent importance Their presence in the Shahnameh

1-6 Research questions:

1- What other animals are present in the Shahnameh?

2- What is the presence and influence of each?

3- Which animals Ahrimani, which nation is non-demon?

1-7 Research hypotheses:

1- Apart from humans, other creatures are also present in the Shahnameh.

2- Non-human creatures in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh can be evaluated in positive and negative groups. Kurdish. 3- Some creatures are demonic and some are non-demonic. Ferdowsi Tusi, an epic poem written in Bahrmatkarb Mothman Mahzhufu contains about 50,000 verses and is one of the largest and most prominent epics of the world's famous writer, which took thirty years to compose. The content of this literary masterpiece is the myths, legends and history of Iran from the beginning to the conquest of Iran by the Arabs in the 7th century AD, which are summed up in the four dynasties of the kingdoms of the Pishdadians, Kayans, Ashkanians and Sassanians, and it is divided into three parts: mythological (from the reign of Kyo to the death of the Fereydon kingdom), heroic (from the uprising of Kaveh Ahangar to the death of Rostam) and historical (from the Bahmanu kingdom to the rise of Alexander to the conquest of Iran by the Arabs).