The quests of Hercules, Rostam and Esfandiyar: A Psychological Approach

Hercules, Greek mythological hero, Rostam and Esfandiyar, Iranian mythological heroes, have a common ground: Going on difficult quests and accomplishing impossible missions. Hercules, to reach eternity, is forced to fulfill back- breaking tasks. Rostam, for saving the old King, and Esfandiyar, for saving his sisters, have to pass through seven labours of heros (Haft-Khan).
In the present article, considering the Jungian concept of individuation, attempt is made to compare these three journeys. According to Carl Gustav Jung, the archetypes are the collective unconscious of man present in the process of individuation. Myths and legends remain ever present in the underlying layers of the unconscious; and the elements of individuation, in the form of cave, dragon, giant and etc., can be found in them. Despite of their differences, all three missions are struggles towards perfection.