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In Rostam: Tales of Love & War from the Shahnameh, Rostam and Sohrab's father and son relationship is the least bit typical. The historical and social connections between Rostam and Sohrab intertwine with the themes of the novel, related to love, separation and loss. Further, the tragedy that finalizes the novel maybe the saddest, but I find that the similarities within Rostam and Sohrab's characters within the battle is most disturbing. Both are strong, courageous and daring, and both use these features with similar goals in mind unknowingly, except to later find out that they are related. This article will primarily proceed to analyze the social connection and the historical relationship between Rostam and Sohrab. Then, it will subsequently proceed to look at the characterization of both the father and the son in Shahname, as they tragically battle to end one another's lives. This article will initially elaborate on the political historical relationships of the father and son. However, the explanations will expand towards elaborations of the humanistic aspects of the story.
The tale of the two heroes begins with the trip of Rostam to the borders of ancient Iran. Evidently, based on Shahname, this results in Sohrab's birth. Nine months passes and princess Tahmineh gives birth to a son as splendid as the shining moon. He seems another Rostam, Sam, Nariman, or any other previous heros of the nation. Since his face shone bright with laughter, Tahmineh named him Sohrab – Bright visaged. As Sohrab grows older and stronger, the mystery of not knowing his father is kept within the depth of his mother's heart. She wants to protect her only son. Although the secret remains untouched, the evidence of him having a powerful father becomes more visible day after day. Sohrab was destined to emerge into the next super hero of the region. He has been described with many characteristics which hints at him belonging to the Iranian Pahlavan (Heroic) cycle: "tall as a cypress, mighty of limb and mammoth chested" are the words that have been used in order to address his looks. When the disclosed information about his father is revealed to him, Sohrab seeks to meet his father Rostam. He believes that a man with powers of his father deserves to be nominated as a king. Thus, he plans to ride to Iran and bring the current ruler down. However, based on history; the cycles of power and heroism could never merge. The Shahname distinguishes the two cycles by different means. The categorized persona can not be transferred from one cycle into the other, but they may combine their powers in order to exist alongside one another. One of these two categories is known as the line of heroes. Such characters are to protect the land and guide the kings towards doing their duties correctly. The other group consists of kings whom rule the lands. They are to be legitimized representatives of God via maintaining justice. Pahlavans (heroes) assist the kings in order to bring fairness to the lands. Based on the information enclosed, the lack of experience of the aforementioned young fellow appears to ask for unjustness within the Iranian ancient world. Since Ferdowsi believes that God favours the Iranians in Shahname, the lands must be preserved by all means. On the same note, Ferdowsi also believes that the forces of justness and goodness must always win. Therefore, Sohrab is destined to die so that Iran, the land of all goodness and happiness, could be saved.
Hence, the summary of the historical background indicates that Rostam must kill his own son in order to proceed with his duties and satisfy the love for his great nation of Iran. However, the battle of Rostam and Sohrab needs to be examined further, especially since this fight is not any ordinary battle between two different forces. It must be borne in mind that Rostam's abolishment of Sohrab at a young age was mostly due to his love for his country of Iran. His patriotism forced him to go back to the Persian lands. In accordance to the same notion, the love for Iran keeps him settled down within the borders. Thus, he never leaves the nation in order to visit Sohrab ever again. Consequently, this notion of love strikes against Sohrab later on. After finding the identity of his father, Sohrab's love for Rostam brings Sohrab to the Iranian territories. Although these arguments are not mentioned in Shahname clearly, the evidence of such emotions is visible to all readers via different means. Ergo, as observed, love plays a symbolic role for the actions of both characters, especially when they leave their hometowns. The theme of this tragic story is mostly based on shared desires and love, contrasted with the lack of further connection between the characters. All connections between the characters were seemingly lost upon Rostam's early return to Persia. As it is illustrated in this article, engagement in the humanistic approaches plays a major role towards the tragic death of Sohrab.
The humanistic background of the story hints towards a lack of communication and connections among father and son. In spite of Sohrab's love for his father and his keen return to find Rostam, the duo characters were not in contact with each other ever since the birth of Sohrab. The theme of their separation expands all the way into the battlefields. As the story is conveyed to readers, each of the characters ironically hint towards one another as relatives, but there never is a full connection until the end. For instance, when the news of Sohrab's attack is revealed, Rostam states, "So it seems that a second Sam (his own ancestor) is loose in the world; this would be no surprise if he were a Persian, but from the Turks it's unprecedented. I myself have a son over there. ". Another example would be seen at the time of battle in which Sohrab consistently asks his companions for Rostam's features. Unfortunately, he is unable to find out who Rostam is despite all his efforts. In Clinton's version of the book, it is mentioned that the young hero asks the same from Rostam as well, but yet again, he is disappointed by not getting a straight forward answer, "Are not you the son of brave Dastan, the son of Sam? Are not you the pahlavan Rostam? ".
Throughout the fight, both warriors know that they are dealing with extraordinary opponents. Rostam relates to his opponent by stating, "I've never seen a monster fight like this; my combat with the White Demon was as nothing to this and I can feel my heart's courage begin to fail. A young, unknown warrior who's seem nothing of the world has brought me to this desperate pass, and in the sight of both our armies ". He knows that only a mighty Pahlavan such as himself could battle like this; therefore, he continues his statement by saying, "I do not know who will win". The same feelings flow within Sohrab's veins. At the bottom of his heart, he knows that this warrior may be the well-known famous Pahlavan, Rostam. As the result of his predictions, he attempts to stop the fight in many occasions. For instance on the second day of the battle, he approaches Rostam through the following means of "When did you wake? How did you pass the night? And are you still determined we should fight? But throw your mace and sword down, put aside . These thoughts of war, this truculence and pride. Tragically, Rostam thinks of this as a trick, and once again, the connection is lost, "Before this hour we never spoke like this. Last night our words were of the coming fray. Your tricks will not work with me; do not try again ". Thereafter, they proceed to execute a hand-to-hand combat.
As evident in the above quotes, the continuous distance between Rostam and Sohrab is fuelled by their fear from one another. As a courageous young warrior, Sohrab never shows fear towards any of his enemies. On the other hand, when Rostam is informed about a young warrior whom appears to be very strong, he shows signs of fear towards the battle. Such evidence could be observed when Rostam delays his journey of facing the enemy – Sohrab. Once on the battlefield, he sneaks up onto the enemy's camp to see the opponent, which once more shows that Rostam is uncertain about his own grounds. At last, he refuses to mention his name to Sohrab out of fear during the battle, which leads towards the tragedy of the loss of Sohrab. Bear in mind that the fact behind why he does not mention his name to Sohrab during the battle could also be due to the fear of loss. Rostam has maintained a very good name for himself over the years and does not want to ruin his reputation in case he loses to a younger fellow with unknown origins.
Rostam is weaker than when he was younger, yet he is experienced. Despite his fear, he also is right and just since he is defending the lands of Iran. Rostam is destined for success in this battle. Sohrab is inexperienced, therefore, he puts together some bad decisions about handling the throne. Sohrab simply does not know that a hero could not become a just a king. Kings are simply chosen by the almighty God; which is a sacred belief. Sohrab is also very impatient, both towards seeing his father and wanting to make decisions right away. He does not notice that this cycle of heroes and power has been established for years and that he would not be able to change the justness of beliefs in one night.
At the stage where Sohrab is wounded and is about to die, we see the tragedy of the story in which the father and the son are so close, but yet so far. Death is another symbolic element which separates the two from one another once more. The tragedy is topped off when Sohrab himself reminds Rostam of his mistakes which has led to this tragedy, "I tried in every way to draw you forth, But not an atom of your love was stirred".
It remains unknown whether the humanistic aspect of the story could have overcome the rigid, historical aspect. Had Rostam and Sohrab have put aside their fears of death, trusted one another, and shared unconditional love with each other, they could have merged the cycles of Kings and Heroes. But Rostam's love never betrayed the King in the first place – no matter how unjust a king he was.
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Source by Soroush Nazari