A Psychoanalytical Study of Soudabeh and Roudabeh in Shahnameh

Among the literary works, Shahnameh is considered as an epic work. This literary valuable work is a national asset and a symbol of the popular unconsciousness of the Iranian nation. Shahnameh can be studied from different aspects including linguistics, literature, sociology, mythology and narrative perspectives. It can also be investigated from psychoanalytic and psychological principles. Carl Gustav Gung a psychologist from Swiss whose views have many implications to study oriental literary works has proposed the concept of "Anima". It is an important issue in Gung's theory showing both the positive (effective) and negative (adverse) aspects of the human character. Lady lovers in Shahnameh are good examples of anima symbolizing the popular unconsciousness of the Iranian nation pictured in literature. Such characters have been presented in myth as well as epic.Soudabeh and Roudabeh are two important and effective lady lovers in Shahnameh one is positive and impressive and the other one is negative and destructive. This conflict shows that anima can be good and evil and this depends on consciousness and determination of man in his individual and social life.