| ID | 093490 |
| Title Proper | From epic to romance, via filicide |
| Other Title Information | Rustam's character formation |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Fraser Clark |
| Publication | 2010. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Rustam is famed for being one of the most fleshed-out characters of the Shahnama. As such, this article will analyze an episode in his life of extreme emotional turbulence, in order to gain a closer understanding of how much realism Firdausi bestows upon his characters. This episode is the suicide attempt he makes following his act of filicide. I will begin with a discussion of the difficulties involved in interpreting such an ancient text as the Shahnama. An analysis of Rustam's background follows, tracing the development of his personality. I will then take a detailed look at the circumstances surrounding his attempted suicide. After this, I will gauge the extent to which this act may have its roots in his personality. By thus examining how realistic is Rustam's suicide attempt, I hope this paper will contribute to the further study of the literary nature of Firdausi's Shahnama. |
| `In' analytical Note | Iranian Studies Vol. 43, No. 1; Feb 2010: p53-70 |
| Journal Source | Iranian Studies Vol. 43, No. 1; Feb 2010: p53-70 |
| Key Words | Epic ; Romance ; Filicde ; Rustam ; Shahnama |