In this passage from the Shahnameh, the roles of Siawosh and Soudabeh illustrate deeply entrenched gender norms within the cultural context of ancient Iran. Siawosh is depicted as the ideal male hero: strong, handsome, virtuous, and destined for greatness, as foretold by the stars. His heroism is built upon his physical prowess, his lineage, and his moral integrity, which sets him apart as a figure of reverence and admiration. In contrast, Soudabeh embodies a more complex role—her desires and actions, driven by passion and longing, place her in opposition to the traditional virtues expected of women in this cultural context. I believe Soudabeh’s role in the story is multifaceted. On one hand, she is a queen, a position that grants her power and influence. On the other hand, her actions are driven by her desire for Siawosh, which challenges the expected behavior of a woman in her position. Instead of being the nurturing, supportive figure often expected of women in epic literature, Soudabeh becomes an antagonist, driven by personal desires that ultimately contribute to Siawosh’s downfall. Her actions highlight the peril of female power when it strays from the path of propriety, reinforcing a patriarchal view that aligns women’s virtue with their subservience and modesty. Soudabeh’s desire for Siawosh and her subsequent manipulation of King Kay-Kavous reflect a gendered power dynamic that portrays women’s influence as potentially dangerous when not checked by male authority. Siawosh, in resisting Soudabeh’s advances and ultimately obeying his father’s command, reinforces the idea of the male hero’s integrity and the importance of filial obedience in maintaining social order.

Additionally, when comparing the story of Siawosh to the Ramayana, a similar dynamic is seen between Sita and Ravana, where Sita’s resistance to Ravana’s advances reinforces her purity and devotion to Rama, thus elevating her status as an ideal woman within the epic. Unlike Soudabeh, who is driven by personal desire, Sita’s character is defined by her unwavering commitment to her husband, which aligns with the patriarchal ideals of female virtue. This contrast highlights how different cultural contexts shape the construction of gender roles within their respective epics.

Lastly, The linguistic value of this passage lies in its portrayal of fate and character through a rich narrative style that intertwines descriptive imagery with foreshadowing. The passage uses elevated language to emphasize Siawosh’s virtues, enhancing his stature as a hero in the reader’s eyes. The use of phrases such as “goodly mien,” “tall and strong,” and “the world held not his like” not only conveys Siawosh’s physical and moral attributes but also reinforces the idea of predestination, as his virtues are paradoxically the very traits that lead to his downfall. The translation captures the grandeur of the original text but also reflects the patriarchal mindset of the time, particularly in its portrayal of Soudabeh’s actions as inherently dangerous and subversive. The linguistic choices in describing Soudabeh—her eyes “filled with his beauty” and her soul “burned after him”—depict her desire as both overwhelming and destructive. This portrayal is indicative of the cultural and political context in which the text was translated and compiled, where female desire is often seen as a threat to social order. However, these linguistic elements reinforce traditional gender roles and the construction of the hero. The language used to describe Soudabeh's actions simultaneously suggests a bias that reflects the patriarchal values of the time, where women's power and influence are often depicted negatively when they diverge from the expected norms of female behavior. CC BY Aarushi Attray (contact)