Journal of the stylistic of Persian poem and prose
volume Number 18، number In Volume 4، July 2025 ، issue Number 110

Studying the Blending of Lyrical and Epic Literature in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh

Shahin Rashidbeigi , Mehri Talkhabi (Author in Charge), Hossein Arian , Heydar Hassanloo

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Awareness of the specific characteristics of each literary genre gives the critic or reader a premonition of what literary field he or she is dealing with and determines the horizon of the reader"s expectations from the work. Ferdowsi also displays romantic, philosophical, and mystical themes in Shahnameh by utilizing elements of lyrical poetry. The present study aims to investigate the fusion of lyrical and epic literature in Ferdowsi"s Shahnameh, explaining the examples of lyrical literature in this epic work and its nature.

METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method and the necessary information was collected using a library method.

FINDINGS: Lyrical stories in Shahnameh are the result of the connection of love and epic. In fact, in composing epic love stories, the poet"s primary goal was to organize epic narratives, and from an analytical perspective, the issue of lyrical literature comes after the epic. Ferdowsi also refers to philosophical and mystical themes in the conclusion of his epic stories, and a character like Kaykhosro has prominent mystical dimensions in this work. In fact, the movement of Persian poetry from epic to narrative and finally lyrical is a sign of the movement of the taste and spirit of the Iranian people from legend and myth to the description of the reality of inner and social feelings and emotions.

CONCLUSION: By revealing the lyrical features in Shahnameh, it becomes clear that this work is not just an epic, but rather Ferdowsi, by combining epic and lyrical features, has tried to create a work that is as broad as human needs in every time and place. The combination of epic and lyrical in Shahnameh both shows the power and courage of the heroes and the therapeutic and soothing cultural and social aspects that are necessary and essential after the war. These features have turned Shahnameh into a multidimensional work in which various human and cultural aspects are well combined.

Keyword
Shahnameh , Ferdowsi , Epic Literature , Lyrical Literature , Love , Literary Type

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