Garshasp: Asadi's Epic Quasi-Hero

Today، reading old writings from new perspectives is one of the fundamental issues in literary studies. Mythical or archetypal criticism، which is integrated of psychology and anthropology، is an important school of criticism. This kind of approach is based on Carl Gustav Jung’s theories; after studying myths from different nations، Jung noted their origins and proclaimed that ‘collective unconscious’ – comprised of archetypes – is the chief origin of all human myths. According to Jung، “hero” must first fight problems، win over the “shadow” and free himself from its yoke and then achieve individualization. In this research، character of Garshasp، as narrated by Asadi، was studied according to descriptive- analytical method. in addition to introducing it as an epic character، this study offers a look into the mythical Garshasp so that the similaritie and differences between these two as well as relevant causes would be clarified. Pahlavi myths and literature recount that the final destruction of Zahhāk is brought about by Garshasp who thus completes «battle-hero-shadow» trio. But the Epic of Garshasp depicts Zahhāk as submissive and dominated by Garshasp and his ultimate battle، which is in accordance with the mythical account، never happens. Due to this and also to the dominance of «shadow» over «hero»، the «process of individuation» never occurs for hero.