Document Type : علمی- پژوهشی
Authors
1 Graduate, Doctor of Persian Language and Literature, Urmia University, Iran
2 PhD student in Persian language and literature, Yasouj University, Iran
Abstract
Psychological critique is one of the most important areas of literary criticism based on modern psychology and Jung's theories. It uses a variety of archetypes to analyze people's personalities and evaluates their behavior in various cases. Meanwhile, the book Shahnameh and its female characters are important from various points of view, and in this study, their psychoanalysis is examined from Jung's point of view. Among them, Gerdafarid, Katayoun and Tahmineh have outstanding personalities who have various archetypes inherent in their nature that we have evaluated their psychoanalysis through various studies and the use of Jung's theories. Meanwhile, the archetypes of motherhood and individuality, along with the occurrence of animus symptoms in different situations, have distinguished their personality in every way, which is well demonstrated by the potential behaviors that have emerged from them, the psychology of their personality. Examining the people discussed in the Shahnameh, it was found that among the characters studied, Katayoun has the most ancient signs of the pattern, and his behavioral cues in various cases make the above theory more prominent. This research, which was done by analyzing the verses and describing their behaviors, evaluated the personality of each of the women discussed in the Shahnameh, and by using Jung's theories; we have interpreted and explained the different patterns of each individual.
Highlights
Psychological Critique of Shahnameh Women Based on Jung’s Theory (Based on the Characters of Gordâfarid, Katâyun and Tahmine)[1]
Psychological criticism is one of the most important areas of literary criticism, which is based on modern psychology and the theories of Jung and Freud. This type of critique examines vast and completely unknown areas of literature and has produced some of the best literary interpretations of leading literary works. In psychological critique, individuals are examined from different angles to analyze different personalities using different archetypes and to evaluate their behavior in different cases. In the meantime, going through the aspects of personal psychology and reaching the general and universal aspects is paying attention to the commonalities that have existed among all human beings, especially myths and legends; because it is on the basis of this study of myths and legends that the psychology of the masses can be understood. It should be noted that what causes the psychoanalysis and psychology of people in myths and legends to be considered is the connection between art and literature and culture. These factors cause us to face the subconscious mind. Recognition of the subconscious, which Jung called the “collective subconscious, is the part of the psyche that preserves and transmits the common psychological heritage of mankind” (Jung 2011: 162). If exploring the subconscious mind leads the conscious mind to experience the archetype, one will encounter profound human contradictions. This is evident in various forms in different characters and in various myths and cultures, which ultimately forms a set of universal mental images known in his school as the archetype. “Therefore, archetype research is not only a way to understand general human behavior, but also a way to critically read literary texts and works of art” (Bilsker: 2006: 8). One of the works whose characters can be studied and interpreted in terms of psychology and analysis of specific archetypes is Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, which, as a collection of myths, contains a wide part of our beliefs and thoughts. “In the above book, characterization is presented in the best way and Ferdowsi has illustrated in describing the characters of Shahnameh in a way that by psychological analysis, the hidden layers of psychology and personality can be achieved” (Yahaghi and Qabul 2010: 65). It should be said that Ferdowsi has acted in such a way that some people in Shahnameh have moral angles and hidden personalities that can be understood by analyzing them. Therefore, Shahnameh and its female characters are important from various points of view, which in the present study, their psychoanalysis from Jung’s point of view has been studied. In this study, which is based on the characters of Gordâfrid, Katâyun, and Tahmine, we have psychoanalyzed the hidden patterns inherent in their essence based on Jung’s theories. Meanwhile, the archetypes of motherhood, individuality and animosity in different situations, have distinguished their characters in every way, so that this shows the psychology of their personality well with the potential behaviors that have emerged from them. The first thing that can be mentioned is Gordâfrid. From the point of view of Jung’s psychological critique, the heroism of individuals along with the appearance of animosity, underlies many behaviors that discover their weaknesses and strengths through self-development, which is manifested in the fight against Sohrâb. Katâyun is another woman who has the salient features of an archetypal mother. His warnings to his son to avoid a clash with Rostam and to predict his son’s murder in Sistân show his awareness of the ominous events ahead. The existence of “I” or the apparent consciousness in the character of Katâyun, introduces her as an innovative and creative person who has a prominent appearance in Shahnameh. The animus, which is hidden in the nature of Katâyun, appears to her in a dream, which eventually leads to his marriage to Goštâsp. Tahmine is another character that has been evaluated in this article. The first example is the conscious self or consciousness in the subconscious mind that manifests itself in knowing Rostam and marrying him. These behaviors, along with the archetype of the mother who raises the child in the separation of the father, were examined in terms of psychological critique. The archetypal attributes of the mother in the character of most mythical mothers in Shahnameh, especially in the character of Katâyun (Esfandiyâr’s mother) and Tahmine (Sohrâb’s mother) are more prominent. It should also be said that Tahmine sees the unity and evolution of her identity in having a child from a person like Rostam, whose heroism is well-known in particular and in general. Tahmine is one of the women who projects her inner animosity on her first meeting with her favorite man, Rostam. Tahmine falls in love with Rostam when she hears his descriptions and heroism, falls in love with him and waits for an opportunity to meet him closely and project her psyche on him and offer herself to Rostam. She takes the initiative in expressing love and affection without hesitation. The next step is to recognize the animos archetype in the form of speech. This stage of animosity appears in every woman, forcing her to speak and master the language. In such a way that his sweet words affect another; Tahmine’s masterful speech to Rostam was so influential on Rostam that on the same night, Rostam invited the priest to propose to his father. In the end, it should be said that by examining the people discussed in Shahnameh, it was found that Katâyun has the most archetypal signs and his behavioral actions in various cases, further emphasizes the above theory.
[1] Vahid Alibeygi Sarhâli: Ph.D. in Persian language and literature, Urmia University (corresponding author)
Email: vahid.alibaygi@gmail.com
Afsâne Ramezâni: Ph.D. Student in Persian language and literature, Yasouj University
Keywords: Ferdowsi Shahnameh, Psychological Criticism, Jung, Gordafarid, Katayoun, Tahmineh
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