Rustam and Sohrab is perhaps the most famous poem from the Shahnameh. The poems in the Shahnameh are based around the life of Rustam, an invincible, epic Persian hero. Having lived for almost five hundred years and slain men and beasts, he sounds like the Persian version of Hercules or Beowulf, but unlike the story of Beowulf or Hercules Rustam’s tale has a more emotion to it. When the poem begins you can feel Sohrab’s torment in waiting for the day he finally gets to meet his father. Finally has a man in his life who calls him son. Sohrab, although grown to be a rugged warrior, still yearns for paternal love and idealizes his father as a child would. It is quite touching how he instantly recognizes Rustam on the battle field, yet Rustam denies it and hence their bloody battle ensues. It is quite ironic how Rustam only is able to slay Sohrab by rendering him defenseless by shouting his own name, and then finding out that he just took the life of his only son himself. Tragically, Sohrab was victimized by the only people he loved the most in the world. First, his own mother hid the fact that she had bore a son from Rustam just so Rustam wouldn’t take him away from her. Whereas that’s all Sohrab desired: to be with his heroic father. Though it is interesting how Rustam never bothered to go see his “daughter” and instead find a warrior-like son that he desired. And then in the end, when finally Sohrab gets his one wish fulfilled he is lying on the dust dying from a fatal wound blown to him by the one person he adored and fantasized the most about in his young life.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Rustam and Sohrab
Rustam and Sohrab is perhaps the most famous poem from the Shahnameh. The poems in the Shahnameh are based around the life of Rustam, an invincible, epic Persian hero. Having lived for almost five hundred years and slain men and beasts, he sounds like the Persian version of Hercules or Beowulf, but unlike the story of Beowulf or Hercules Rustam’s tale has a more emotion to it. When the poem begins you can feel Sohrab’s torment in waiting for the day he finally gets to meet his father. Finally has a man in his life who calls him son. Sohrab, although grown to be a rugged warrior, still yearns for paternal love and idealizes his father as a child would. It is quite touching how he instantly recognizes Rustam on the battle field, yet Rustam denies it and hence their bloody battle ensues. It is quite ironic how Rustam only is able to slay Sohrab by rendering him defenseless by shouting his own name, and then finding out that he just took the life of his only son himself. Tragically, Sohrab was victimized by the only people he loved the most in the world. First, his own mother hid the fact that she had bore a son from Rustam just so Rustam wouldn’t take him away from her. Whereas that’s all Sohrab desired: to be with his heroic father. Though it is interesting how Rustam never bothered to go see his “daughter” and instead find a warrior-like son that he desired. And then in the end, when finally Sohrab gets his one wish fulfilled he is lying on the dust dying from a fatal wound blown to him by the one person he adored and fantasized the most about in his young life.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Lysistrata
It’s always fun to read a fictional tale based loosely around true events. A lot of times writers use this strategy to shed light on on their point-of-view in a neutral manner. These clever writers are good at seeping their ideas subtly into other peoples minds. Aristophanes, being even more clever, uses this technique along with a comedy; what’s a better way to condition a persons thought process than to make them laugh along?
It is quite apparent that he does not like the ongoing Peloponnesian War going on at the time. He cleverly devises a classic old comedy complete with it’s sexual jokes and comical encounters between the opposite sexes to lull his audience into having anti-war sentiments. He names his protagonist (and the play) Lysistrata, which is derived from a word that means “loosening the army” (Behind the Name).
It is quite apparent that he does not like the ongoing Peloponnesian War going on at the time. He cleverly devises a classic old comedy complete with it’s sexual jokes and comical encounters between the opposite sexes to lull his audience into having anti-war sentiments. He names his protagonist (and the play) Lysistrata, which is derived from a word that means “loosening the army” (Behind the Name).
Through the comedy, Aristophanes manages to highlight important points as to why a war is not good for either of the parties involved. Βy means of the women, the least “intelligent” of the Greek Society, he identifies how a war between former allies is leading to a wipe out of their strong men, giving rise to the women population which are not so good for the economy as they don’t really work and hence overall leading to a weaker Sparta and Athens. In the end, he portrays “Peace” as a young, naked and extremely beautiful girl. I’m not sure how this was portrayed in the actual play, as they didn’t have women actors, but still the imagery sure would have made the men fantasize about peace.
"Behind the Name: Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Lysistrata." Behind the Name:
the Meaning, Etymology and History of First Names. Web. 19 Mar.
2011. <http://www.behindthename.com/name/lysistrata>.
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