A Comparative Study of Homer’s Odyssey and Asadi Tousi’s Garshasb Nameh

Abstract

Comparative study helps investigate the grounds for creation, impression, similarities, and differences of works such as Homer’s Odyssey and Asadi Tousi’s Garshasb Nameh. It tries to find and evaluate human approaches in literary works such as epic, and to identify their intellectual themes, collective unconsciousness. Based on the American school of comparative literature, and regardless of the issue of impression, this study tries to compare the above mentioned works with regard to their similarities and differences in the light of their common Indo-European background. The study compares Homer’s Odyssey and Asadi Tousi’s Garshasb Nameh on the three narrative, contextual, and literary bases. Despite their similar narrative elements in plot, character consistency, trust in destiny, etc., there are also many thematic similarities regarding supernatural elements like crossing the seas, defeat by the Fate, death, the after-world, dream, struggles between opposing forces, and magic. From literary aspect, description is very outstanding in both works. The similarities arise from common mythical-heroic spirit of the two nations who have fought for their establishment. Messages and religious discourse are different in these works, but emphasis on marriage as a commitment makes Odyssey valuable; Zahak’s obsession with expanding his kingdom impairs thematic significance of Garshasb Nameh. The plot of Odyssey is based on the return of the king to his country after victory, hence the sender and hero are the same, while the plot of Garshasb Nameh is the expedition for overcoming other lands, the sender is Zahak, and Garshasb is the hero.

Keywords

• comparative study
• homer’s odyssey
• asadi tousi’s garshasb nameh