Examining Persian national character in Shahnameh

 A national character has such profound merit that for many access to these national models, had become the main sacred objective of their lives.  However in real life what personality type or role model is appropriate for our society?  Are there any such examples in the ancient Persian culture to introduce to the present generation?  Or should one resort to other cultures?  It is centuries that through its myths, Shahnameh of Ferdowsi as a national identity of Persian society, transmitted major part of ancient Persian cultural, religious, and national heritage to this day.  Attempt is made in this article to study the characteristic features of Shahnameh’s prominent heroes from the perspective of sociological and psychological aspect of personality.    Employing narrative analysis method, first the characteristic features of six main characters in the Tale of Zal and Roudabeh are determined. Secondly, using three stages of open, axial, and selective coding in grounded theory method 158 concepts, 28 sub themes, and 7 major themes were identified and according to four precepts eight characters were revealed, and finally the chief concept of two personality types rational and irrational are referred to.