Analysis of the National Epic of Rostam in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh from the Perspective of Religious Epic
Keywords:
Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, national epic, Rostam, religious epicAbstract
National epics are expressions of the beliefs, culture, and ancient customs of a people, created based on myths and rituals. Ferdowsi is a poet who both "creates and composes epics," and epic poetry is defined as a genre that evokes the spirit of zeal, bravery, intensity, and resistance—whether its theme is inherently epic or centered on the story of a hero. Shiite epic upbringing, grounded in ancient culture and religious tradition, serves as a pathway to opening new horizons in social function and decisive historical arenas—an endeavor whose necessity is increasingly felt. The present study aims to examine the commonalities between national epic and religious epic. Using a descriptive-analytical method and relying on library research, this study seeks to analyze the epics of Rostam in the Shahnameh by referring to the foundations and teachings of the Qur'an. The findings of this study indicate that although the foundations of national epic align with those of Islamic education, there are aspects within the national epic that diverge from Islamic educational paradigms. These distinctions are explored in the current research.
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