13 Matching Annotations
  1. May 2025
    1. "I counsel you, let Kay-Kavous decide between you." And they listened to the voice of the counsellor, and they took with them the Pari-faced, and led her before Kay-Kavous, and recounted to him all that was come about. But Kay-Kavous, when he beheld the beauty of the maid, longed after her for himself, and he said that she was worthy of the throne; and he took her and led her into the house of his women.

      Instead of asking the lady herself, Tous and Giwe insisted on asking Kay-Kavous about who she belongs to. And Kay-Kavous was attracted to her beauty and ended up having her all by himself. In conclusion, nobody thought that it was appropriate to ask it to her itself. It shows that they did not regard her opinion or whom she wanted to partner up with, since she was a woman. Her voice was not even heard. She was barely an object, an eternal source of beauty and entertainment for them. It can be said that females were not given any leading roles neither their decisions mattered at that time. It was a full on patriarchal society where it was the gender role of the men to decide the fate of women whom they had never even had any interactions before.

    2. Now when all was ready, Kay-Kavous bade Siawosh his son ride into the midst of the burning mount, that he might prove his innocence. And Siawosh did as the King commanded, and he came before Kay-Kavous, and saluted him, and made him ready for the ordeal. And when he came nigh unto the burning wood, he commended his soul unto God, and prayed that He would make him pure before his father. And when he had done so, he gave rein unto his horse, and entered into the flame.

      This incident serves as evidence of valiant bravery, as well as the unavoidable tragic outcome. Kay-Kavous's order for Siyavash to endure such a cruel test exposes the harsh and frequently nonsensical nature of the Shahnameh's legal system. Rather than resorting to dialogue or a fair trial, Siyavash is made to prove his innocence through a life-threatening trial by fire. In doing so, he displays an unshakable belief in his own virtue and submits to his father’s command without resisting. As he seeks purity before his father, his prayer to God prior to going into the flames demonstrates his strong belief in divine justice. Even though he is innocent, his entry into the fire represents the extent he will go to in order to protect his honor. This moment in specific reveals the inherent absurdity of the test, as Siyavash’s need to prove his virtue through such a drastic and senseless act speaks to a broader societal issue in which virtue is judged by unrealistic, and impractical measures. The irony is obvious that even though Siyavash lives unharmed, his good deeds and pure heart will not ultimately spare him from the fate that awaits him. His role as a tragic hero, virtuous and innocent yet still chained by a system which demands complex proof of his worth, is preserved as a testimony by this trial. Additionally, as a piece of the general story, the passage reflects traditional gender roles, and in this case it is the way masculinity is defined and/ tested in the context of heroism and honor.

    3. But Soudabeh, when she had so far accomplished her longing that she had gotten him within the house, desired that he should speak with her alone. But Siawosh resisted her wish. And three times did Soudabeh entice him behind the curtains of the house, and three times was Siawosh cold unto her yearning. Then Soudabeh was wroth, and she made complaint unto the King, and she slandered the fair fame of Siawosh, and she spread evil reports of him throughout the land, and she inflamed the heart of Kay-Kavous against his son. Now the King was angered beyond measure, and it availed nought unto Siawosh to defend himself, for Kay-Kavous was filled with the love of Soudabeh, and he listened only unto her voice. And he remembered how she had borne his captivity in Hamavaran, and he knew not of her evil deceits. And when she said that Siawosh had done her great wrong, Kay-Kavous was troubled in his spirit, and he resolved how he should act, for his heart went out also unto his son, and he feared that guile lurked in these things. And he could not decide between them. So he caused dromedaries to be sent forth, even unto the borders of the land, and bring forth wood from the forests. And they did so, and there was reared a mighty heap of logs, so that the eye could behold it at a distance of two farsangs. And it was piled so that a path ran through its midst such as a mounted knight could traverse. And the King commanded that naphtha be poured upon the wood; and when it was done he bade that it be lighted, and there were needed two hundred men to light the pyre, so great was its width and height. And the flames and smoke overspread the heavens, and men shouted for fear when they beheld the tongues of fire, and the heat thereof was felt in the far corners of the land.

      If Siawosh is the hero then Soudabeh can be considered the villain since her lies led him to go through a lot of pain. She is illustrated as a woman who harbors intimate feeling for her step son and spreads ill things about him when he did not comply with her feelings. Since Kay-Kavous liked her dearly, he could not go against her. However, he never made an effort to ask his son and clear all the misunderstandings there and then. Or it could be that men were supposed to prove their innocence through illogical tests and strengths rather than simply answering the questions honestly. Likewise, had he failed and died during the process, would an innocent person be branded as a criminal? And why was Soudabeh not questioned? How can words enough to prove that she was innocent yet his son was not?

  2. Dec 2024
    1. he analysis reveals that media coverage is dominated by five themes: military justice, institutional structure, culture, gender/gender integration, and change. Gender is a relatively minor focus throughout media coverage, with attention to court cases dominating the majority of the coverage.
  3. Apr 2020
  4. Dec 2018
    1. ’Mid hall-building holders. The highly-famed queen, 55 Peace-tie of peoples, oft passed through the building, Cheered the young troopers; she oft tendered a hero A beautiful ring-band, ere she went to her sitting

      Wealhtheow portrays the role of a traditional Anglo-Saxon woman at the time. Wealhtheow is first introduced to the audience, she immediately falls into her role as peaceful greeter and cocktail waitress. The author then reinforces that she is a member of the weaker gender by directing Wealhtheow to her proper position behind the king. When the queen is not serving drinks or greeting the hall guests, she may usually be found obediently following Hrothgar throughout the mead hall and "waiting for hope-news".