Analysis of a verse from Rostam and Sohrab based on the Minstrel's narration and Kurdish Shahnameh

The story of Rostam and Sohrab is one of the most famous epic tales in the world. Despite its beauty and literary and artistic value, it is not exempt from some flaws in narrating the story. These flaws whether originated from Ferdowsi’s sources, Ferdowsi himself and Shahnameh editors are not very significant. This article deals mainly with the manner in which Sohrab addresses his mother Tahmineh about his origin. Spontaneously and furiously Sohrab questions his mother about his father’s name and ruthlessly threatens to kill her if she fails to provide an answer. In different editions of Shahnameh, there is not a justified and acceptable answer to this question, however in minstrels’ narration and also in Kurdish Shahnameh the main reason for raising the question with such rage is well accounted for. The extraordinary might of Sohrab among the boys of his age and the fact that Sohrab is the fruit of the union between Rostam and Tahmineh outside the customary wedlock prompts his comrades to question his lineage and regard him as illegitimate child. Sohrab’s fury of such insult explains why he questions his mother about the secret of his birth with such rage and menace