Psychological and sociological analysis of heroic sections of Shahnameh Based on the theory of stigma by Goffman

Shahnamehis one of the most distinguished literary epics that reflects the cultural background and diagram of Iranians’ National view of the world towards humans, society and existence more than any other literary work. Creating a confrontational, dialectical atmosphere and cultural, anthropological foundation in Shahnameh reveals Ferdowsi’s concerns to make a utopia by the refinement of individual, ethnic and social behaviour.. Ferdowsi believes that this trait is one of the barriers in individual and socialdevelopment and glory that leads to the dominance of evil.Due to the extensive history of this unethical behaviour the currentwriting has attempted to fathom its motives present in some characters of Shahnameh and its different kinds and reasons in the period of heroic-mythical epic period ,i.e., from Zahak’s period to the death of Rostam. The present work has tried to do so using descriptive, analytical methods based on the theory of "stigma" of Erving Goffman.By doing so the reason for popularity or notoriety of some heroic characters of Shahnameh, either Iranian, Turani, men or women, can be revealed. Furthermore it can be realized that not only dominance of materialism and worldly desires and escape from spirituality have an undeniable effect on the emergence of stigmatization, but also neuroticismcomplexes, such asfeelings of inferiority, jealousyand projection desires have contributed to presence and parade of intrigues for an abundance of stigmatization in Shahnameh. Consequently we clearly encounter all three stigmas in Shahnameh including natural stigmas (deviant appearance or actions), ethnic and cultural stigmas, and political stigmas.