Analysis of tragedies in Shahnameh based on the Aristotle?s Mythos

Aristotle divided tragedy into six formative elements and mythos or plot is the most important one. In shahnameh plot plays a pivotal role in tragedies and bears considerable resemblance to Aristotle’s mythos. The purpose of this research is to discuss this issue according to Aristotle’s views employing descriptive analytic approach to indicate that most tragedies in Shahnameh correspond to Aristotelian mythos and its constituent elements such as recognition, transformation and catastrophic event or downfall. Plot refers to the sequence of events inside a tragedy which affect other events through the principle of cause and effect. The existence of recognition, transformation and catastrophic fate of the protagonist encourage the reader to reread times and times again tragedies of Shahnameh. Therefore the everlasting appeal and the secret of survival of Shahnameh owes itself to its strong plot greatly corresponding to mythos of Aristotle although as far as narrative structure is concerned in parts for instance forecasting in the beginning of tragedies and domination of destiny and final fate discrepancies exist.