Investigating Simorgh Characterization in Epic and Gnosticism

Subject Areas :

Farahnaz  Farhadi ¹ (, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Central Branch, Tehran, Iran)
ali asghar  halabi ² (گروه زبان و ادبیات فارسی،دانشکده علوم انسانی،دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد تهران مرکزی،تهران ایران)

Received: 2021-05-22 Accepted : 2021-09-20 Published : 2021-08-23

Keywords: epic, Elements of Characterization . Dumezil, Gnosticism, Simorgh,

Abstract :

Persian myths, represented in the traditional, epic and gnostic texts for years, serve as the best model for analysis of characters due to their undergoing remarkable changes, their genuineness and their justifying power. “Simorgh” should be considered as the most distinguished example that fully reflects Iranian myths due to its sacred, mysterious and multifaceted nature: Contemporary mythologist, Joseph Campbell, believes that phoenix will change into a creature to be so easily followed by human beings. The study at hand focuses on the chronology of changes in personality of phoenix in transition from epic to Gnosticism. Hence, the elements of personality and the words and deeds of the legendary bird was investigated, while contemplating on what is attributed to it or the way it is described. The findings of this research introduce simorgh as a multifaceted personality, which can be called as the “Fertility-Renaissance” hero or Goddess.Keywords: Simorgh, Epic, Gnosticism, Elements of Characterization