Sohrab & Rustum

Lit2b

1. was born Abu Ol-Qasem Mansur in Tus , Iran. Greatest Persian poets to have ever lived and a national hero. 'Book of Kings' or 'Shah- nameh ' (60 000 couplets). The poem was presented to the Sultan, who rewarded Firdausi with a pitiful amount of money. FIRDAUSI

2. Main Characters Sohrab champion of the Tartar army. Rustum a Persian chieftain and champion of the Persian army.

3. Peran-Wisa - the commander of the Tartar army. Ferood the leader of the Persians. Gudurz a Persian chieftain . Zal - Rustum ’s father Sohrab’s grandfather. Tamineh -King’s daughter -mother of Sohrab . Sistan ,  Iran also known as Persia. on the banks of the Oxus River  Kingdom of  Samangan Turan   province of Seistan OTHER CHARACTERS SETTINGS

4. The people of the province of Seistan rejoiced the birth of Rustum , the son of Zal , because when he came into the world, he was as strong as a one-year old child. While he was yet a small boy, his father called him and said…

5. “My son, thou are now strong as an elephant and fit for all the hardships of war, though thy lips still breathe the scent of milk and thy heart turns towards boyish games and gladness. Can I thee to the war to cope with heroes?”

6. One day Rustum was an honored guest at the king’s palace in a far away city. Here he saw the king’s daughter, Tamineh , whom he loved for her beauty and wisdom.

7. So they were married, for the king was glad to make an alliance with Rustum .

8. Time came when Rustum had to go back to his own city. He was sad and could not take his wife with him. He did not wish that his people should know about his marriage for they expected him to marry a maiden of his own people.

9. So he took a tender farewell of Tamineh and gave her an amulet made of onyx stone which he got from his arm, and said:

10. Tamineh was afraid for Rustum will be proud of such a son and take him from her. While still a baby she bound the amulet of onyx on his arm and sent message to Rustum that a daughter had been born instead. Rustum was disappointed for he had hoped for a brave son; but he sent five jewels for the child bade the mother to take good care of her. He was busy in the battlefield and could not come to see her.

11. When Sohrab was about ten years of age, he came to his mother one day and said, “See, I am taller and stronger than one of the boys with whom I play; yet, when they ask me of my race and my father’s name, I can answer nothing. Tell me, I pray thee, who is my sire?

12. And Tamineh answered, “My son, thy father’s name is Rustum , and he is the greatest hero the world has ever seen.”

13. But Tamineh wept and said, “I have lost my husband, and now I shall also lose my only son? I beg you not to find him for he will take thee from me.” Yet even the tears of his mother did not stop Sohrab from his purpose.

14. Meantime, in that same morning’s dawn an anxious messenger came to the tent of Rustum and implored him to come forth and take up the challenge of the stranger youth, saying:

15. “O , Rustum , like thy might is this young man’s. He has the wild stag’s foot, the lion’s heart. And he is young, and Iran’s chiefs are old, or else too weak; and all eyes turn to thee.”

16. The aged warrior looked upon him with eyes of mistrust thinking that the youth wished to know his name in order that he might boast of the fight among his fellows. Then he said harshly, “Rise! Why do you ask for Rustum ? Rash boy, men look on Rustum’s face and flee. Fight or yield!”

17. Sohrab rose up and raised his head, saying: “Thou wilt not frighten me so! I’m no girl to be made pale by words. As for that victory of which you are sure, the event will prove to whom is to fall. So … they fight!

18. The armies held their breath for a time. The darkness around the combatants disappeared and the hosts saw Rustum standing safely while Sohrab was lying wounded on the bloody sand.

19. Then Sohrab rose up his arm and cried, “Behold this onyx, given by Rustum to my mother, that she might bind it on her babe.”

20. THE END