Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 allameh tabataba'i university
2 Allameh tabataba'i university
Abstract
The qasida “Rostam-Nāmeh” by Malek al-Sho‘arā Bahar is a prominent example of the fusion of epic and satire in contemporary Persian poetry. By employing various techniques of humor creation, it presents a socio-political critique of Iran’s conditions during the Pahlavi era. By bringing Rostam, the mythological hero of the Shahnameh, into the heart of modern society, Bahar humorously and allegorically reflects the collapse of values, the corruption of elites, and the crisis of cultural identity.
This study is based on a descriptive–analytical method and, drawing on Gahraman-e Shiri’s (2024) humor-creation model, examines the satirical styles used in the poem, demonstrating how the fundamental elements of humor are prominently present in Bahar’s narrative structure and poetic imagery. The findings analyze the nature of the humorous techniques employed in Bahar’s poetry and show how he has succeeded in creating a work within the genre of the “mock-epic.”
By modeling Rostam after today’s unstable characters and placing him in various situations and states that are incompatible with the Rostam portrayed in the Shahnameh, Bahar produces a form of political satire. This qasida illustrates how a poet can draw on mythological elements and cultural heritage to offer an indirect yet effective critique of existing crises. Bahar’s approach can also be observed in the poetry of figures such as Hafez and Obeyd-e Zakani
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