Fate and Influence of the Divine Abolqasem Ferdowsi’s In the Dragon’s Claws: The Story of Rostam & Esfandiyar from the Persian Book of Kings, is a story that comes from the Shahnameh, a book containing many different narratives detailing Iranian history and mythology. The story In the Dragon’s Claws presents two heroes of Iran, Rostam and Esfandiyār, who are victims of fate. The story traces the power struggle between Rostam and Esfandiyār, as well as the power struggle between Esfandiyār and his father Goshtāsp, the Shah of Iran. While many themes are at work in this story, perhaps the most important theme observed is the intervention of fate and the role of the divine in the lives of the characters. The Iranians believed that “God prefers
…show more content…
Although Esfandiyār does not find any fault in Rostam, he must obey the shah because any “challenges to royal authority invariably lead to the challenger’s death” (16). Esfandiyār does not want to be judged harshly on Judgment Day by Yazdān, so he chooses to obey the shahs command. Rostam and Esfandiyār both show their devout belief in the divine by the words they speak when they first meet each other. Upon meeting each other, both of the warriors thank the “Lord of All” that they are guided safely to each other (60, 61). Esfandiyār displays his faithfulness to Yazdān time and again throughout the story, saying he cannot disobey the shah’s wishes, or else he will “surely face the judgment of [Yazdān]” (66). The young prince continuously pledges his allegiance to Goshtāsp, even though he does not want to challenge Rostam. Esfandiyār also believes that Yazdān is present with him in battle, stating “in war my one companion is Yazdān. And fortune smiles on everything I do” (97). The heroes of this tale are very focused on the supernatural and the authority they hold in their lives. They continually question how their actions will affect the …show more content…
Throughout the book, the struggle of fate versus free will continuously appears. In the introduction, the translator reminds the reader that “fate…is as capricious as it is implacable” (16). The characters believe that fate rules their lives; they are merely pawns in the grand scheme of fate and destiny. Initially, Goshtāsp asks his counselor to tell him Esfandiyār’s fate. Goshtāsp’s counselor tells him that “[Esfandiyār’s] fate awaits him in Zābolestān” (33). Goshtāsp is so desperate to keep his throne that he willingly sends Esfandiyār to Zābolestān, to his death. Goshtāsp acknowledges that “No one can safely pass that fateful wheel. Who has by wisdom or by manliness escaped the knife-sharp claws of that celestial dragon? What has to be will be” (33). The Iranians believe that their fate is set in stone, there is nothing they can do to change their destiny. Therefore, even if Goshtāsp did not send Esfandiyār to Zābolestān, he still would have died there at the hand of Rostam. Continuously throughout the book, the idea of fate is mentioned. After Rostam is subdued by Esfandiyār in their first battle, he returns home to see his father in agony over his defeat. Rostam tells his father that there is no use in grieving what has happen because “this comes from heaven and is what’s meant to be” (108). Rostam does not question why bad things have happened to him, he
Although Esfandiyār does not find any fault in Rostam, he must obey the shah because any “challenges to royal authority invariably lead to the challenger’s death” (16). Esfandiyār does not want to be judged harshly on Judgment Day by Yazdān, so he chooses to obey the shahs command. Rostam and Esfandiyār both show their devout belief in the divine by the words they speak when they first meet each other. Upon meeting each other, both of the warriors thank the “Lord of All” that they are guided safely to each other (60, 61). Esfandiyār displays his faithfulness to Yazdān time and again throughout the story, saying he cannot disobey the shah’s wishes, or else he will “surely face the judgment of [Yazdān]” (66). The young prince continuously pledges his allegiance to Goshtāsp, even though he does not want to challenge Rostam. Esfandiyār also believes that Yazdān is present with him in battle, stating “in war my one companion is Yazdān. And fortune smiles on everything I do” (97). The heroes of this tale are very focused on the supernatural and the authority they hold in their lives. They continually question how their actions will affect the …show more content…
Throughout the book, the struggle of fate versus free will continuously appears. In the introduction, the translator reminds the reader that “fate…is as capricious as it is implacable” (16). The characters believe that fate rules their lives; they are merely pawns in the grand scheme of fate and destiny. Initially, Goshtāsp asks his counselor to tell him Esfandiyār’s fate. Goshtāsp’s counselor tells him that “[Esfandiyār’s] fate awaits him in Zābolestān” (33). Goshtāsp is so desperate to keep his throne that he willingly sends Esfandiyār to Zābolestān, to his death. Goshtāsp acknowledges that “No one can safely pass that fateful wheel. Who has by wisdom or by manliness escaped the knife-sharp claws of that celestial dragon? What has to be will be” (33). The Iranians believe that their fate is set in stone, there is nothing they can do to change their destiny. Therefore, even if Goshtāsp did not send Esfandiyār to Zābolestān, he still would have died there at the hand of Rostam. Continuously throughout the book, the idea of fate is mentioned. After Rostam is subdued by Esfandiyār in their first battle, he returns home to see his father in agony over his defeat. Rostam tells his father that there is no use in grieving what has happen because “this comes from heaven and is what’s meant to be” (108). Rostam does not question why bad things have happened to him, he