Ten Ghezelbash as a prose epic: A cast at epic themes of the novel

The historical novel of Ten Ghezelbash in five volumes is one of the most significant historical novels and it is believed to have far more capacity to be regarded solely as a mere historical novel. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate aspects such as epic structures and themes.  Using library and descriptive analytic method this research deals with studying those aspects.  The existence of different war scenes against foreigners in the novel on one hand and writer’s emphasis upon national Persian values, and elements at the same time as well as Shia sect on the other hand had caused this work to have many similarities with a prose epic text.  Certain epic themes include the hero’s journey, women as pioneers to claim love, war and war strategies, presence of horse with mythological epic functions, description of weapons, unity of ethnic groups in confrontation with enemies, patriotism, and struggle in order to win name and integrity, abstinence from dishonor, vagabondage, astrology, and prediction.  The extent of using epic deeds and elements are quite significant in this novel.  Some are drawn directly from Shahnameh and Ferdowsi’s influence upon Masroor is evident in this regard.  It can be understood that despite having certain differences with Shahnameh, this historical novel has established close relation with epic style and one can regard it as an epic in prose.