One of the most common methods of studying mythology is the psychological analysis of myths. Carl Gustav Jung, the founder of personality psychology, opened a new window in criticism and analysis of myths by introducing archetypes. According to Jung, everyone has a pers
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One of the most common methods of studying mythology is the psychological analysis of myths. Carl Gustav Jung, the founder of personality psychology, opened a new window in criticism and analysis of myths by introducing archetypes. According to Jung, everyone has a personal and a collective unconscious. He believes that the personal unconscious is built on a deeper innate layer that is called collective unconscious or archetype. The manifestation of archetype is more prominent in the works of art, especially literature and myths. This issue can be seen in Shāhnāmeh which is one of the most famous Iranian mythological and epic texts. Shadow, anima, animus, hero and mother are the prominent archetypes of Shāhnāmeh. We can find many of these archetypes in the story of the Seven Labors of Rostam (Haft Khan-e Rostam). Based on Jung's theory, it can be considered the stages of the Labors a kind of passing from "ego" to reach "self" in order to achieve "psychological individuation". And this is not possible except with the help of the hero (Rostam) and the passing of the shadow. In fact, Kai Kāvus, as the symbol of man, benefits from the help of Rostam (hero) and passes from "ego" to "self" (psychological individuation). By employing comparative-analytical method and based on Jung's psychological theory the present article attempts to examine the story of the Seven Labors of Rostam (Haft Khan-e Rostam) as an archetype.
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