Myths are amongst the best elements for comparing different nations. In the passage of time, they have changed their form and their effects can be found on cultural-literary works of different societies. The present article is a comparative study on two myths from two d More
Myths are amongst the best elements for comparing different nations. In the passage of time, they have changed their form and their effects can be found on cultural-literary works of different societies. The present article is a comparative study on two myths from two different nationalities: The myth of ‘Zahhāk’ in Iran and the myth of ‘Loki’ in Scandinavia. The aim of this study is to find the similarities between these two mythical evil characters and their fundamental features which have had an influence on the forming process of some characters with the same characteristics in dramatic literature. This study compares the aspects of the myth of ‘Zahhāk’ appeared in a play with the same name by Gholam-Hossein Sa'edi with the aspects of the myth of ‘Loki’ appeared in a play by Henrik Ibsen called The Little Eyolf in the framework of trifunctional hypothesis by George Dumézil. The trifunctional hypothesis by Dumézil benefits from a comparative study of functions and actions; the three basic functions of it are the function of sovereignty, the military function and the function of productivity. By describing the differences and similarities between these two works, the results of the research suggests that the two aforementioned plays, as a reflection of cultural roots of their society, have been in accordance with the trifunctinal hypothesis of George Dumézil.
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