What Significance Does The Narrative Attach To Zahak’s Arab Origins

Comparative Literature 60A: World Literatures in Dialogue

 

Reading Questions for the Shahnameh

 

  1. What significance does the narrative attach to Zahak’s Arab origins? Is the distinction marked by geography only? What other markers of difference can you find in the text?

 

  1. How is time treated in the Shahnameh? Some kings reign for decades, others for millennia. Does the representation of time affect the way we read and interpret the Shahnameh?

 

  1. Why doesn’t Feraydun kill Zahak when he defeats him in battle? What happens to Zahak?  Does his punishment match his misdeeds?

 

  1. Why does Kaveh refuse to sign the document attesting to Zahak’s righteousness? What does he do instead?

 

  1. What is the Kaviani banner? What is it made of? How do Iranian kings treat the banner?

 

  1. Who steals Rostam’s horse? What does she hope to achieve by stealing Rakhsh? Why is Rostam embarrassed about losing his horse?

 

  1. How will Rostam be able to recognize his child? Does he maintain contact with Tahmineh? Does he visit his child?

 

  1. What is the significance of the combat between Sohrab and Gordafarid? What does this episode foreshadow and how?

 

  1. Why does Sohrab not kill Rostam when he has him pinned down?

 

  1. How does Rostam mourn Sohrab’s death? What are the rituals described in the narrative?  What symbolic significance do they have?

 

Order with us today for a quality custom paper on the above topic or any other topic!

What Awaits you:

• High Quality custom-written papers

• Automatic plagiarism check

• On-time delivery guarantee

• Masters and PhD-level writers

• 100% Privacy and Confidentiality

 

 

 

error: Content is protected !!