Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

The Moral Vices of Lovers and Beloveds in the Romantic Narratives of Nizami and Ferdowsi's Shahnameh (Focusing on Illustrated Khamseh and Qajar-era Shahnameh Manuscripts Preserved at the Malek Museum)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohadeseh Taghipoor Moazen 1
Reza Forsati Juybari 2
Nahid Akbari 2
1 PhD student in Persian Language and Literature, Qaem shahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaem shahr, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Qaem shahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaem shahr, Iran
10.22034/ias.2024.411401.2266
Abstract
Lyric and epic literature represent two significant genres of Persian poetry. Nizami and Ferdowsi, as the preeminent lyric and epic poets respectively, accord elevated status to love and ethics in their works, particularly in their romantic verses. While moral virtues abound in these romantic narratives, scholarly attention has seldom focused on the ethical vices exhibited by lovers and beloveds. This research identifies the most prominent moral failings in these characters, examines their underlying causes, and determines which lovers/beloveds most frequently display such traits. Vices like cruelty, ingratitude, lustfulness, betrayal, selfishness, and arrogance manifest in both lovers and beloveds. These ethical dimensions are visually articulated in illustrated Khamseh and Qajar-era Shahnameh manuscripts.
Research Objectives:

Examining moral vices of lovers/beloveds in Nizami's Khamseh and Ferdowsi's Shahnameh through illustrated manuscripts at Malek Museum
Analyzing differences in love expression between upper-class men/women versus other social strata

Research Questions:

What moral vices characterize lovers/beloveds in Nizami's "Khosrow o Shirin" and Ferdowsi's Shahnameh?
How does love expression differ between upper-class men/women and other social groups?
Keywords
moral vices
lover
beloved
Nizami's Khosrow o Shirin
Ferdowsi's Shahnameh

Subjects

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