shahameh discussion post

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Dec 6, 2023

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In 3 well-developed paragraphs discuss the topic listed below. After you have posted your discussion, respond in detail to the Discussion Topic posts of at least two other classmates. TASK: Persian cultural values as found in Shahnemah : In the Shahnameh , both choosing good and remaining loyal to the Shah are highly esteemed. 1. In one paragraph, explain what happens in the epic when "choosing good" and "remaining loyal" come into conflict. 2. In another paragraph, why is this conflict significant or essential for understanding Rustem within his culture and the Shahnameh as a whole? 3. For the last paragraph, explain more generally, where else have you seen conflicted heroes (perhaps other books you have read, TV shows, movies, etc)? In the Shahnameh, one’s loyalty to the king, or shah, is everything. The characters in Shahnameh can be described in a plethora of ways, but many of them share a common trait: undying loyalty to the shah. For example, when given the chance to take over the throne, both Rustem and his grandfather Sam choose to remain loyal, even though the shahs may be foolish and unwise (Interpreting Shahnameh: Themes). Loyalty to the king is a sacred virtue in Shahnameh, as it was during the time it was written. However, there was another sacred virtue in Persian culture at the time, which was upholding morality in the name of religion. Zoroastrianism is the ancient, pre-Islamic religion of Persia (Zoroastrianism: the Religion of Ancient Persia). The religion teaches judgment and punishment or reward in the afterlife (Zoroastrianism: the Religion of Ancient Persia). Those who follow Zoroastrianism strive to do what is right. Therefore, living in goodness rather than evil is of utmost importance in Shahnameh.
The two most sacred virtues in Shahnameh, loyalty and morality, can inevitably present a conflict at times. In some circumstances, one must choose between what is truly right and remaining loyal to the shah. In the epic, Rustem loses his beloved horse and goes to search for him (Shahnameh, Chapter 8). In his search, he enters a land called Samengan (Shahnameh, Chapter 8). There he meets Princess Tahmina, who falls in love with him (Shahnameh, Chapter 8). Unbeknownst to Rustem, they conceive of a child, but when Rustem’s horse is found, he returns home (Shahnameh, Chapter 8). When the child, Sohrab, comes to know his father’s identity, he decides to enter war against Kai Kaous, because he wants to make his father king (Shahnameh, Chapter 8). In this circumstance, Sohrab is doing what he believes to be the right thing. On the other hand, Sohrab’s father, Rustem, will always choose loyalty to the shah. The shah is very unwise and often unkind to Rustem (Interpreting Shahnameh: Themes). Rustem at times questions if the shah is worthy to be served, but still decides to leave Tahmina and fight for the king time and time again (Interpreting Shahnameh: Themes). Rustem goes into battle with his own son, and kills him, realizing his mistake too late (Shahnameh, Chapter 8). Had Rustem chosen to stay with Taminah or stand up against the shah when he had the chance, he may not have been placed into battle against his own son. Although he did not intentionally kill his own son, his constant loyalty to the shah led him into battle, causing him great despair when he learned of his loss. “My heart is sick unto death,” Rustem utters (Shahnameh, Chapter 8). This tragedy evokes not only strong emotion and sympathy for Rustem and Sohrab onto the reader, but also leads to the question of how this awful situation could have been avoided. Rustem is not weak for being a conflicted hero, and his struggle is eye-opening, as many of us would have the same dilemma if placed in his shoes. Rustem’s conflict between loyalty and morality is human and readers can identify, which makes the tragic loss of his son that much more jarring.
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