Wisdom, Prudence, and Counsel among the Women of the Shahnameh
Subject Areas : Research in Iranian classical literature
Amir Vasegh abbasi
1
,
abdolali oveisi kahkha
2
*
,
abdollah vasegh abbasi
3
1 - Ph.D Student in Persian Language and Literature, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
2 - Associate Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
3 - Associate Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
Keywords: Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, women, wisdom, prudence, counsel.,
Abstract :
Wisdom, Prudence, and Counsel among
the Women of the Shahnameh
Amir Vasegh Abbasi*
Abdolali Oveysi Kahkha**
Abdollah Vasegh Abbasi***
The Shahnameh, as a literary masterpiece, is not only a reflection of valor, the narration of wars, and unparalleled epics, but also a platform for intellect, wisdom, and a field for the clash of ideas and the valuable experiences of our ancestors, which have been preserved as civic and cultural traits. The prominent presence of women in most stories of the Shahnameh, on par with men, is admirable. This brilliance and active participation in various arenas—including complex socio-political crises—accompanied by intelligence and chastity, is striking.
Although commendable studies have been conducted on the subject of women in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh—mainly regarding narrative, emotional, and some other aspects—no independent research has yet focused on the wisdom and consultative roles of women in Iran’s national epic. This highlights the necessity of such a study.
This article is composed using a descriptive-analytical method and a library-based approach, aiming to both demonstrate the bravery and beauty of women in perilous and dramatic scenes of battle and festivity across the mythical and historical periods of the Shahnameh, and portray their capacity for competence, problem-solving, and intelligence in full grace and dignity.
Keywords: Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, women, wisdom, prudence, counsel.
Introduction
Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh is an encyclopedia of human values, brilliant literary and cultural principles, and the national and ancient honors of the land of Iran. In fact, the Shahnameh serves as a comprehensive mirror reflecting the customs, bravery, sacrifices, ethics, religion, wisdom, and other manifestations of the culture, history, and civilization of ancient Iran, capturing the thoughts, ideals, and emotional ups and downs of the Iranian people—from the dawn of history to the reign of Yazdegerd.
Ministers, astrologers, soothsayers, priests, elders, champions, and close aides play a primary role in consultation and deliberation over various affairs. The prominent and remarkable presence of women in preserving, promoting, strengthening, and stabilizing Iran’s moral, cultural, and historical values has had a significant impact. The multifaceted role of women—as mothers, wives, advisors, ambassadors, warriors, and even heads of power—carried out with intelligence, wisdom, and devotion, is particularly striking.
The importance of consultation and deliberation in different aspects of individual and social life is so emphasized that it is recommended implicitly in the Holy Quran, including verse 38 of Surah Ash-Shura (“And consult them in affairs”), verse 174 of Al-Imran (“And consult them in the matter”), and also verses 17 and 18 of Surah Az-Zumar.
Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh is a rich treasury of wisdom and rationality, “in which the words wisdom and wise appear more than 500 times, and the word ‘enlightened’ appears more than 150 times” (Wolf, 1998, under the entries for wisdom and enlightened), and prudence and consultation are frequently mentioned throughout.
In the Shahnameh, “there are several very noble women whose variety and valor cannot be found in other Persian works, nor even in the great ancient works of other countries. Most women in the Shahnameh are exemplary in all respects. While possessing wisdom, magnanimity, and even bravery, they are also richly endowed with feminine essence” (Eslami Nadooshan, 2012, p. 113).
However, this very Shahnameh has sometimes fallen victim to unfair interpretations and judgments, which accuse it of misogyny, either due to political considerations or ignorance (Abbasi & Ghobadi, 2010, pp. 109–138).
For example, Nöldeke stated in The National Epic of Iran: “Women do not hold an important position in the Shahnameh. Their presence in the poem is mostly through desire or love” (Nöldeke, 2000, p. 161).
The Danish orientalist Christensen says: “Men’s behavior towards women in ancient Iran was accompanied by courtesy. Women, both in private and social life, enjoyed complete freedom” (Christensen, 1958, p. 75).
Eslami Nadooshan writes in the book Sarv Saye Fakkan: “The presence of women in the Shahnameh—which is a book of war—adds a delicacy that cannot be found in any similar epic” (Eslami Nadooshan, 1996, p. 102).
It is noteworthy that only the names of some women appear in the Shahnameh, such as Māhāfarid, Kanizak (who is pregnant by Iraj), Espinou (the maid of Tazhav the Turanian), Faghostān (daughter of Kid the Indian), Nāhid (daughter of Caesar of Rome), and others. Some others have a faint presence, such as the daughters of Sarv Yemenī, Homāy and Behāfarid (sisters of Esfandiyār), Roshanak (daughter of Dara), and so forth. A number of women have a brief but effective presence, such as the mother of Siāvoš, Sepinoud (daughter of Shangol, king of India), Golshahr (wife of Piran Viseh), Jarireh (daughter of Piran and mother of Forud), Malakeh (daughter of Tayr Ghassāni), Nūshe (aunt of Shapur Zul-Aktaf), daughter of Mehrak Noshzad, Pourandokht (daughter of Khosrow Parviz of the Sassanid dynasty), and others.
The presence of some others is dazzling and astonishing, such as Tahmineh, Gordāfarid (daughter of Gojdaham), Homāy Chehrzād (daughter of Bahman), Golnār (daughter of Kanizak Ardavān), and more.
Beyond these, in the Shahnameh there are a number of wise, farsighted, advisory, and, in a word, consummate women whose presence and role in the course of Iran’s national epic is very influential and decisive, such as Farānak (mother of Fereydun), Sindokht (wife of Mehrāb of Kabul), Rudābeh (mother of Rostam), Farangis (wife of Siāvoš and mother of Kay Khosrow), Katāyun (mother of Esfandiyār), Manijeh (daughter of Afrāsiyāb), Qeydāfeh (ruler of Andalusia), Gerdieh (sister of Bahram Chobin), and others.
Conclusion
The Shahnameh, in addition to being an unparalleled masterpiece in the realms of battle and festivity, is also an enduring work in ethical and educational teachings, governance, philanthropy, individual and social life, and councils of consultation and problem-solving. The evidence shows that the intelligence of women in the Shahnameh, beyond their special roles as mothers, wives, and lovers, has had a significant role in shaping and structuring political power, important matters of statecraft, and the interaction and balance of elements contributing to the growth, stability, or decline of royal dynasties. In Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh, numerous verses reveal the wisdom, foresight, consultation, and responsibility of Iranian women, reflecting their distinguished status and position in the history and civilization of the Iranian people.
Among the prominent traits of women in the Shahnameh are wisdom, purity and piety, modesty and bravery, fearlessness and valor, skillfulness and problem-solving ability, artistry and eloquence, and especially politics and prudence. The women of the Shahnameh, even those who are non-Iranian—except for Sudabeh and one or two others—are generally unique in their loyalty and devotion, preservation of respect and family stability, and their roles in national scenes, exerting a positive and effective influence on the course of the Shahnameh’s stories.
The role and position of women in various aspects of life—including loyalty to their husbands and child-rearing, bravery and sacrifice in dangerous situations, chastity and valor in the realms of love and affection, cunning foresight, and wise consultation in important social and political matters, and even governance—are highly prominent. Above all, what most clearly demonstrates the brilliant status and position of the foremost women of the Shahnameh is their intelligent role and consultation in social and political arenas alongside heroes and kings, marked by utmost chastity, insight, and competence.
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* Ph.D Student in Persian Language and Literature, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
a.vacegh@yahoo.com
** Corresponding Author: Associate Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
oveisi@lihu.usb.ac.ir
*** Associate Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
vacegh40@yahoo.com
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