FerdowsilSh~?hnameh Persian Lesson on The Rebirth of Rostam This elementarylintermediate Persian lesson begins with pre-reading and pre-listening activities, proceeds with reading and listening activities and practice, and culminates in the viewing of an animation feature film in Persian called The Rebirth of Rostam, which tells a version of the story of Rostam and his son Sohrib inspired by Ferdowsi's Shrihnrimek [Book of Kings]. DVD copies of The Rebirth ofRosram are available for purchase at IranianMovies.com. $1. Read an English translation of Ferdowsi's story of Rostam and Sohrib. Here is a list of publications and web sites which offer translations of the story. Ferdowsi, Abolqisem. The Epic of the Kings. Translated by Reuben Levy. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago, 1967; New York, NY: Arkana(Penguin), 1990. 4.65-80. . The Shhhnhmeh: The Persian Book of Kings. Translated by Dick Davis. New York. NY: Penguin Classics, 2006. Pp. 187-214. . The Shah-Nameh of Fardoicsi. Translated from the original Persian by Alexander Ross. New Delhi: Heritage Publishers, 1973: first published by London: Chapman 81 Hall, 1907 . The S h a h n h of Firdausi Done into English by Arthur George Warner and Edmond Warner. 9 volumes. Available at various On-line sites. , The Shdhndma of Firdousi. Done into English by Arthur George Warner and Edmond Warner. Volume 111. Ann Arbor, MI: Xerox University Microfilms. Available at The Shahnama of Firdausi-Google Book Results. , Fathers ond Sons: Stories from the Slmhnomeh of Ferdowsi. Volume 2. Translated by Dick Davis. Washington, D.C.: Mage Publishers, 2000. The Tragedy of Sohrab and Rostam. Translated by Jerome W. Clinton. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 1996. Revised edition. First edition, 1988. $2. Check items in the following vocabulary list (X) which identify objects, characters, and events likely to appear in a movie about war and hand-to-hand combat in ancient Iran. castle 0 fortress ; J 0 tower 0 , , moat 3 6 0 5 , ,r , drawbridge L*&" gate bjlg,~ 0 saddle 2; rl horse -1 0 helmet /kolih khudl J& o , 0 , coat of maillarmor b , j c -gt 0 bwt(s) 6 0 mountain -mountains hb4.c b$ 0 rnountain(ous) area ‘jh& 0 elain(s) d~ 0 desert ALL? rI river GLJ~, 0 woods -forest J?&- -" a- , , dagger - sword & b pAA&O-&O 0 , spear InayzU b> 0 mace j3 0 lasso, rope &O bow and arrow (lit: arrow and bow) 'jh.? g @ 0 quiver &IJ& ,$&> O
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Ferdowsi's Shahnameh Persian Lesson on "The Rebirth of Rostam"
This elementary / intermediate Persian lesson begins with pre-reading and pre-listening activities, proceeds with reading and listening activities and practice, and culminates in the viewing of an animation feature film in Persian called The Rebirth of Rostam, which tells a version of the story of Rostam and his son Sohrib inspired by Ferdowsi's Shrihnrimek [Book of Kings]. DVD copies of The Rebirth of Rosram are available for purchase at IranianMovies.com.
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FerdowsilSh~?hnameh Persian Lesson on The Rebirth of Rostam
This elementarylintermediate Persian lesson begins with pre-reading and pre-listening activities, proceeds with
reading and listening activities and practice, and culminates in the viewing of an animation feature film in Persian
called The Rebirth of Rostam, which tells a version of the story of Rostam and his son Sohrib inspired by Ferdowsi's
Shrihnrimek [Book of Kings]. DVD copies of The Rebirth ofRosram are available for purchase at IranianMovies.com.
$1. Read an English translation of Ferdowsi's story of Rostam and Sohrib. Here is a list of publications and web
sites which offer translations of the story.
Ferdowsi, Abolqisem. The Epic of the Kings. Translated by Reuben Levy. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago, 1967; New York, NY: Arkana(Penguin), 1990. 4.65-80.
. The Shhhnhmeh: The Persian Book of Kings. Translated by Dick Davis. New York. NY: Penguin Classics, 2006. Pp. 187-214.
. The Shah-Nameh of Fardoicsi. Translated from the original Persian by Alexander Ross. New Delhi: Heritage Publishers, 1973: first published by London: Chapman 81 Hall, 1907
. The S h a h n h of Firdausi Done into English by Arthur George Warner and Edmond Warner. 9 volumes. Available at various On-line sites.
, The Shdhndma of Firdousi. Done into English by Arthur George Warner and Edmond Warner. Volume 111. Ann Arbor, MI: Xerox University Microfilms. Available at The Shahnama of Firdausi-Google Book Results.
, Fathers ond Sons: Stories from the Slmhnomeh of Ferdowsi. Volume 2. Translated by Dick Davis. Washington, D.C.: Mage Publishers, 2000.
The Tragedy of Sohrab and Rostam. Translated by Jerome W. Clinton. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 1996. Revised edition. First edition, 1988.
$2. Check items in the following vocabulary list ( X ) which identify objects, characters, and events likely to appear in
a movie about war and hand-to-hand combat in ancient Iran.
castle 0
fortress ;J 0
tower 0 , ,
moat 3 6 0 5 , , r ,
drawbridge L*&"
gate b j l g , ~ 0
saddle 2; rl
horse -1 0
helmet /kolih khudl J& o , 0 ,
coat of maillarmor b , j c -gt 0
bwt(s) 6 0
mountain -mountains h b 4 . c b$ 0
rnountain(ous) area ‘jh& 0
elain(s) d~ 0
desert ALL? rI river GLJ~, 0
woods -forest J?&- - " a -
, , dagger - sword & b p A A & O - & O
0 ,
spear InayzU b> 0
mace j3 0
lasso, rope & O
bow and arrow (lit: arrow and bow) 'jh.? g @ 0
quiver &IJ& ,$&> O
, , battle J+
, , 0 , , * battlefield ImaydW J* 1 + ' b J+
war && attack 4LL
escape JIG surrender(ing) 4 combat, war, battle C ~ J
king b k , b k ~ L 0
prince, princess b ~ l i p I k 0
paladin J> .;I& 0 r I
enemy &J 0
fighter, combatant j2& o
army (division)
demon %J O
52.1. While working with this lesson and preparing to watch the movie which is the lesson's last activity, think of other words relevant to reading and listening on the subject of ancient warfare. Use an English-Persian dictionary (e.g., Farhang Moaser Living English-Persian Dictionary by M.R. Bateni et al., 2007 [3rd edition]) to find Persian equivalents for English terms that come to mind.
$3. In each of the four groups of words below, match proper Persian names in the column to the right with their
English equivalents or definitions in the columns to the left. Ask your instructor or other adult native speaker of
Persian for help in cases where you cannot match pairs. Having read an English translation of Ferdowsi's story of
Sohrib, you should be able to match the six pairs in each of the four groups through the process o f elimination. , ,
the son of the Iranian paladin Rostam - +J \
Iran's most famous legendary warrior - cr'l.n~~ 7
Rostam's white-haired father - J ~ J . r
an Iranian king - e 3 3 G f
an Iranian paladin whom Sohrab caplures and who later lies to Sohrib ahout Rostam - (%$ 4) D
Turanian monarch and lran~an arch-enemy - cr'&~>i F
Rostam's grandfather and Nariman's son - V
Iranian female warrior who fights to protect the White Fortress - .~>TJ> A ? ?
daughter of the King of Samangh who proposes "marriage" to Rostam - J ~ , J J S ~ q
Iranian farmer, Iranian landowner - -?P
creator, divine provider -
Zoroastrian priest -
the land of Iran's arch enemies - , ,
- 0
Iranian mountain range which separates the Caspian littoral from Tehr3.n - &+J G ' J ~ jf
. - legendary Iranian "capital" called Perseplis in English - \D
Iran's tallest mountain - LLi>h;06 \ ? , ,
a border area and kingdom between I r h and Turin ;& \V
native region of the family of Nariman, Sim, ZBI and Rostam -
chief devil or demon in Zoroastrian mythology -
White Demon whom Rostam kills - -%J y . .I I
lord, lord god - A9i Y \
' I. the ciry in Khorb3.n where Ferdowsi was horn, lived, and is buried - L L ~ ~ I A Y Y
author of the 11th-century Persian epic called Shrihnrimeh - iebolqasCrnfcrdowsul f lS~P ?LhJ l p l YY
mythological phoenix-like bird who raise Rostam's white-haired father - & yf
$3.1. Use www.iranica.com (Encyclopaedia Iranica On-line) and other On-line resources to get more information
about foregoing names.
54.1. Match the following descriptions of word and phrase forms with groups of words and phrases below. English
equivalents in the lists below come mostly from Farhang Moaser Kimia Persian-English Dictionary (2006) by
Karim Emami.
1. plural nouns
2. Arabic loanword nouns exhibiting an I...U or l...btl suffix (signalling grammatical feminine gender in Arabic). 3. nourdadjectives consisting of an adjective + a superlative-making suffix.
4. Arabic loanword nouns exhibiting a moldZe3t? panern and communicating meanings of reciprocity, mutuality, or twosidedness.
5. noudadjective words ending in a suffix which denotes "having/possessed of."
6. adverb loanwords from Arabic exhibiting the adverb-making / . . . id suffix.
7 , two-part nouns the second part of which denotes "place." 8. nouns ending in the noun-making l...b2rd suffix denoting "protectorlguardian."
Item number goes here.
years h ancestors, forbears
Iranians - Turanians ;&,I+ - ;&121
heroic exploits ~m >La'$ 9 , 9 ,
people - people(s) human beings Jp - J p
before, prior I r
after, afterwards 0 I-
currently, presently %&
usually JF
*& consequently . -
powerful, strong n &aJ)& combatting, fighting w , *
wise, sage, wise person LJ> * - 9
artist(e), endowed to artistic talent L a *
confronting
discussing 0
needful & combat, fighting, war, belligerence
attack 1 highest
plan 0 eZb;
part. fate -
u
tlulh
captivity, slavery
biggest
highcst, loftiest, highest-ranking &_;JI ,
wisest
purest, cleanest
0 camp, encampment b ~ J ) J J i resting place, grave. tomb o&l,i
84.2. Match the following descriptions of word and phrase forms with groups of words and phrases below.
English equivalents come from K. Emami's Farhang Moaser Kimia Persian-English Dictionary (2006).
9. nouns consisting of a noudadjective word + a verb present stem + a noudadjective-making lil suffix 10, noudadjective words consisting of a verb present stem + a suffixed lettedsyllable(s).
11. verb past participles used as noudadjective words.
12. nouns consisting of a verb's past stem ( = infinitive minus /...id).
13. intransitive and active voice transitive multi-word verb infinitives.
14. passive voice verb infinitives.
15. verb present stems (with or without a prefix or suffix) used idiomatically. 16. noudadjective words consisting of a verb's present stem + / , , ,2d
Item number goes here. h
prince, princess (lit: born of a king] b ~ l > k fate &&Y , ,
twisted, complicated b
0 burned GJAU
unlucky, ill-fated * " 3- ,
unripe(ned) b+JL;
defeat A
0 victory, win J,!
defeat, loss 6 4 return &.L J ,
to hide
to attack 0 + i)~$ 0 ,
to find IpaydU i)~$ I % to need ( J ~ ) ~ to keep, to hold, to stop (sb) &&IJ &
to be victorious ($/A) i)& j~e
to surrender 0 j& +A to be killed
*,
i)& - tobewounded i)& &~/cs?
to be tired i ) & G
knowledge & I J
0 thought, idea +&j
learned, knowledgeable, wise L; I J
able, powerful, mighty L;I& , ,
bird b&#
power, might, energy 51s running 0 i)
smiling, laughing i ) l &
flowing, moving, fluent; psyche h19J
visible, apparent, in full view Lk; * - , 0 , *
retreat(ing), pull-back
arresr(ing) 0 CS&; , ,
trash talk, warrior's boasting to afoe j conducting a military campaign &@ shooting an arrow, firing a weapon GJ 1 & 1s
it seems that Ig6yU
0 6.J
as if; you'd think d.J as if; you'd think J
may it not happen that ... IJ&
55.1. Read t h e f o l l o w i n g ques t ions . Then, after reviewing the vocabulary i n Sections 52, 53, and 54 (above) , scan t h e t e x t on the facing page f o r answers.
...................................................................................... 5-1 ; L I J ?IL 6,4,~ & J,, .b
[Thc tcxt in question deab with what Shhhnlmeh slory?]
............................................................ ...................... ... r-I b ~ e 9: + ,,djnnl:)) irjr ,+ .F , ,
[Accordmg to the text, who was Tahmineh?]
........................................................................................................................... S d , < U L l p l , , &., ,+ . V . - , , [According to the text, who is Afr6siyBb71
......................................................................... ?J& sfYj ; L I J &I JJ j I 2 l ;L> ?l.k . A
[Which Iranian wunor hero is laken prisoner in this story?]
, , .................................................................. 7- - 7 J& ip *I A &I2\ ,;Lo> +I+,y! . ?
[What is the name of the sister of lhe Iranian hem who is *en prisoner?]
, , ........................ .. ............................. N o defeats this brother and sisler?]
[ W h m do the most important events offhis story takc place?]
................................. .... 5-1 DJ- 4 + & J,, ; L I J ;L> JJ ;l*l ~ G J L . \ T
[Who was the king of Iran at the time of the story under cornideration?]
5'-9 d ;&It?( $ + J +I+ 3 ,JI> L+ + I, & + ;121 o L t . \ r , , [Whom does the Iranian king send to rescue the bmlher and sisler and other Iranians?] .................................... .. ..............
$5.3. Read the foregoing text while listening again to an instructor's reading of it or to its audio recording. If you still
have questions about the meaning of words, phrases, or statements in the text, use this relatively free translation to
resolve those questions.
The story of Sohrab is one of the most famous stories in the Shdhihndrneh. In this story, Rostam, Iran's greatest paladin, and Tahmineh, daughter of the king of Samangiln, have a child called Sohrib. Because Rostam leaves Samangan (a border area between Iran and Tursn) for good before his son's birth, Sohrab ggrws up with one desire: to find his father. To this end he leaves his birthplace Samangsn recruits an army, and sets out for Iran.
At this juncture. Iran's long-time cnemy Afr&iyab, king of the land of Turan, learns of Sohr2b's identity and plots to keep Rostam and S a h i b from recognizing each other and to have them fight cach other.
Sohrab reaches the While Fortress, which is in lranian territory, and captures thc Iranian paladin called Hojir (or Hazhir). He also cngages in combat with Hojir's sister Gordilfarid, and she who is no physical match for him seeks refuge within the White Fortress. She sends amessage by means of a bird to Iranian monarch Kaykavus at Persepolis, requesting that the Iranian army come to the aid of the White Fortress. Kaykilvus assigns Rostam, his greatest warrior-champion, to carry out this important task, and Rostam sets out for the White Fortress.
Rostam comes to the rescue of the lranians at the White Fortress and confronts Sohrab. Unfortunately, father and son do not recognize each other, and Rostam does not give a true answer to SohrAb when Sohrsb asks him: "Are you Rostam?" Consequently, they proceed to battle one another, and eventually ....
56. Read the following translation of a popular preface to Ferdowsi's Story of Sohra . Then look at the Persian text, checking key words and phrases in it equivalent to underscored items in the English. This preface posits fate as the
chief actor in human affairs and offers a rationale for not being overwhelmed by the tragedy which the story entails.
Listen to a reading of the text to get a feel for its rhythm, seriousness, and sense of foreboding. Try momentarily to
visualize Ferdowsi sitting at a table transcribing this story, perhaps not wanting it to end the way it has to end.
I ,
Now listen tohear the story of the battle between Sohrib and Rostam. \ +FJ ~ u I - F $ Y . ~ ~ J ~6 You've heard about other battles, hear this one as well. = -+L) @ &I -& LPI$ J - It's a story full of tears- Y &?I >LIJ
, , , I
sensitive hems will become angry at Rostam. j l L j l ; JJ , . . .
, , If a harsh wind springs up from some comer of the world 'r &,j +r 2 &L AX >I
, , an- an unripe citron to the eround, &Y - b u J L - &I Ll i 4+
shall we call thc wind tyrannical orjust? T 3~1-1 JI b J L
Should we consider it right or wrong? J%+J~~+++JL>
If death is iugkd. then what is unjust? D - 7 CYY -11- -1 JIJ xp 31
If it's just, then what is all this clamor and screaming? - 2 CYLY JL> 3 &L LA &I JIJ j
Your knows nothing about this mystery- f @ + j l J &I j l , . , ,
For you there is no way into this veil. (6d<&lJd=J&lo~x&+) \ J @ J L I b ~ + & +
All have approached desire's door (i.e., to excessiveJgreedy desire) V j r JJ L d
but for no one has this door to secrets opened. (&>=*L).~Ic~) j 4 j 1 , JJ&I L 2 J +
in departure from this world, you'll find a better place A & i , & r & ~ & * ~ + - 0 ,
when you rest in peace in another abode. 6'- &J e l ~ d rJJ i * Why should there be joy /pleasure in the world for the young, 9 U'& & e! 4 % I J GI&
, , wherdbecause old age is not the cause of death. - I S e A ( J x > > 4
In this place for passing through, not a place for tarrying. \ . &JJ Gb >> Fb &I JJ
should death tighten the cinch on the horse of transience, & x $ & ~ l i i + - ~ ~ \ \ iuvv know that it is just and not unjust. - ' dl- 3-1 J I J ~ , ~ I J & &
When justice visits you, what is clamoring and screaming for? CYLY J L ~ &4 a'&i J ~ J * -, - 9 , ,
Now I'll recount the story of Sohrib's warringlbattling, \ Y -JJ vd U I & ~ ~ > G& how he eame to do baule with his father. ~ G * ~ ~ ' + ~ I ~ G G ~ ~ ~
56.1. In a class setting, time permitting, your instructor can read this text with you and point out salient language
features in it. A lesson on the text appears in Prrsian Listening (Hyattsville, MD: Dunwoody Press, 2009).
$7. Read the following six rhymed couplets (= pairs of verses) from Ferdowsi's Shdhrdmeh. A Latin transcription with marks indicating long and short syllables in the quantitative metrical pattern in the text, an English translation, and notes on premodern Persian forms appear beneath each couplet.
za gardun mari khod bahine namhd L L G& J$ I> j3J$ j
[No one in the world has lived forever, so far me no complaint remains about the world.]
$7.1. Think about the nature of a culture which privileges such observations and advice as the foregoing. Does any of the advice seem specifically or particularly "Iranian" and opposed to "American?"
$7.2. A chapter on "Persian Poems," consisting of fifteen texts and explanations of features of Persian poetry, including meter and rhyme, appears in the textbook Persian Listening (Hyansville, MD: Dunwoody Press, 2009).
$8. Read the following phrases and sentences which appear in the dialogue of the animation feature film Rebirth of Rostam. You will note that the dialogue mixes formal and informal and literarylwritten and colloquial/spoken registers of Persian. What effects can such a mixture have on the audience? Use accompanying English translations
to resolve questions about the meaning of Persian statements. Boxed numbers below indicate movie scene numbers. Lines of dots (............) between lines of text indicate missing context or action or some other break between preceding and proceeding dialogue. (An edited version of Text 4 will appear on ferdowsi1000.com.)
crrls P A ? c;rSO
CI r I
(The opening line of Ferdowsi's Shcihncimeh; J> >&I+ &31&?&)) :*J~> \ (See Section 97. item 1, above.)
, , o , , + ~ i 2> +$
, , , , Narrator: In long past times (lit, distant), the land of Iran ;I%1 + j r ~ JJJ isb hL j J~ T.
~ ~ g ! ~ ~ > , + > > & ~ s h > k j ~ h > ~ 4 + ?
was the broadest. most beautiful, and most pure land of the age
At a time when the peoples of other lands P , >
had submitted to Ahiman '.Li~g! ~ J I J ,J 3 ++I + F
I I
Iranians lived in purity and truth .dl;$ p >.~ij -,J 9 $L L ;L121 V , , T . -
I , - 0
~g! SJ> LIJP&,$ 9 J 4 , ~ j J J ~ r L , q J l j A
Zi l son of S i m who grew up under the wing6 and feathers) of wise Sirnorgh , ,
had a chilUoffspring & i s A i j > iS IJ l~ 4
, , to protect the people from the stingbite of ~ ~ l n m a n . J;IJ di J~~ - _ ~ l j .~i'$ j~ I, ; L J ~ L \ .
r r I
Rostam son of D a s t h ( = ZAI) was born (lit: c an t inlo the world) LIG; + ;LJ,+, \ \
, , to become the most exalted of men. , ~ $ j l ~ ~ ; i $ d 1 ~ j l l . i \ 7
Pat wrotemad written his waylroadlpath for him as follows. . Jg! && & I J $1 J 9 1 d&ry \T. , , , ,
Afrbsiyib. the Allrimanic(= satanic) king of (the land of)Turb, 6 1,s b k ~ L -L+l>j : L T J J ~ \ ?
the Ahimanic king Afrasiysb to reach his filthy goals i k h d JG -4 irL,I + G.LLY> is1> lo . , , , , , ,
;l%l J-4 +jry~k; ;J,~I ~YYJ e 6 15
which was the aequisilion of all of the lands of Iran and SamangPn
+$ p &JJ ,&+I 9 &d 15J>~~s e b j ~ G \ V
continually skove to raise mia and to increase his satanic power. 0 ,
Kbvus. Lhe wise king + ~ Q I ~ I + J + ~ ~ J & ' ~ ~ ~ K \A , ,
who was aware of the wealnessllack of ability of the king of Samangb JF b K i ; b o k > 14;L j 1 4 \ q
r ,
J , , I 1 I I + 7 .
(King Kavus) sent Rostam there to inspect the situation in Samangb. lowr l /
, , n e king of Samangb receivedireceives Rostam warmly J& p &$ % 1, +, ;L b k 7 1
, , .LL, ;L JJ j l IJ ' 6 LS p irp~ 91 j l g 7 7
and invitediinvites him to spend the night in Samangh.
/to'i/ = you are !&>L~J &I '@ ' & + i Y 1 3 JI :+-, \ ~ 3
, , You are the beginning and ending of being and nothingness. !+ 3 + 3 e3_;L: >+ \ 3 .
Only facing you am I on my h e s . .- & I j + + &d ,; G \ 3 \ , ,
If my time in this world has come to an end. ab&s y + 6;; &I JJ & jh j 31 \ q l
calVsummon me on the right path to yourself. J$ + -1, bl j + I-, & \ 3 T
because there is no fear of death. @&"I> sp j l 4 j 3 Y
.-I & g I UJ + ;Kg Aim+ &~giL j l ;, ,_;, \ v
My fear is of the d e s m t i o n of the culture of the pure at the ends of Ahriman.
If my time has comcknded. CD+J (jLj s l \ q P
my life belongs to you. .C~LYI& AS j l & ;4 4 \ 3 Y
, , But be the protector of the pure people &L . ;L . '& J$ + lJ A + ; L J ~ &3 \ 3 A
because you are the only ~efuge. . b L & 2s; 4 \ 3 3
I surrenderlsubmit to your command.
, , "Where are you coming? Come back!"
< , , , ,, I am Sohrfib, son of Rmtam. <i .+, ,q I u 1- ,& JI :-I- 1.1
Sohrfib, son of Rostaln? The son of Rostam? ?+"J e C+"~,l UJ- :+J l.r , ,
What a paladin! What a noble person! What a brave person! ! & J 4 d ~ % ! & J $ ( ~ + !>I& L 1 . Y 1 ij
, , I told myself I wish my son were like you J & + & $&i + & ~ J $ L l . b
, , How quickly my wishldesire came to pass JA b ~ ~ ~ j & 153jJi 4 I J ~ ~ % 1.t
17
, , '. ' & because 1 am Rostam, your father. o .OJ& ~FJ 1 . V
Z
Father . .my father. I have you so many signals. .@J >& gi + & LA &I ,rJ* . . . Je :-I+ T . A
I asked your name so many limes. .rLy.; j l L d &I 1 . 4
Why? 0 god! !LIJi 7 I* T \ .
0 God. what a fate! Iche sameveshli arV = Iche sarvev6shtisV !-I -&& + &I l \ \ , ,
I spent years without you
, , in hopes of seeing you, I came to Iran in search of you. ' r ~ i i ) 1 2 1 e gi J+J + '&+J + T \ Y
so that your blood w o u ~ d k o ~ l my hands and by my hand, & C ~ J e g & c;&~ c ; 3 ~ -ei gi 'j4; Li T \ Y
0, ~ o d ! ! & I J A ~ I ~ T \ O
Was this my fate? Was this your fate? c< L;* &*& J2 &I L;& d&& J~ & I T \ F , , , ,,
Calm (down), be calm! !rlJT '$L ?IJT :+> l \ V
All of us join eternity
some in life and the rest in death.
Open your eyes. I...&'= /...ml.
Life is a dream.
Wake up and see the beauty of mth .
Death is not the end of the mad.
death is only anolher beginning.
Today you did norihave not killed Rostam.
What you will kill today
l \ A
1 \ 4
11.
l l \
T T T
TTY
1 1 F
l l b
l l f
is the Ahriman within yourself. /tosU .us; 5gJJ JJ ++I 1 1 Y
r 9
Henceforth you are Rostam. .-J J+*&l jgi 1 1 A
~ o s l a m will rcmain alive in your k i n g . .&h b & j @ J ~ J JJ +J 1 1 4
Lrj . - , , r 9 Put on, wear Rostam's clothes for the sake of the people.
J J lr. 9
Be the people's friendIsupporter in goodness and purity. .$L J& &k 3 & J~ IJ ' j h ~ ~ 1 ~ 1
The provident God is your support and rcfuge u@ bL;+ 3 4 J K ~ ~ 3 < T r T
became he is the only complete/perfect truth,
because he is the only huth of existence. J 3 > i j Y ~ ~ G u g l & T Y F
I won't die hereaftel
because I am alive.
$9. Review the foregoing list, grouping together words, phrases, and sentences with similar patterns. In a classroom setting, the instructor can direct students to phrases and sentences with identical or similar patterns by calling out item numbers for reading aloud. In self-study, readers can read groups of phrases and sentences as follows. This exercises aims to encourage students to reach inductive conclusions about the uses of cited fonns and features.
24. Past perfect verb forms: Items # 5-6,7, 13,75, 156
Foregoing grammatical terms, along with definitions, explanations, and illustrations of the language phenomena in
question receive detailed treatment in Persian Grammar and Verbs (Hyattsville, MD: Dunwoody Press, 2009).
19
$10. After reviewing all foregoing vocabulary lists, watch Ttte Rebirth of Rostarn in its entirety without concern at
not understanding everything.
$1 1. At the end of the movie appear its credits, along with a song called "lran" by Ziba Shirazi, the first track on her readily available CD called Haft Setdreh [seven stars]. "Iran" is also available On-line: Google "Ziba Shirazi' and click the site called Ziba Shirazi Music I Iranian Music I Bia2.comM or bia2.comlmusidplayer.php?id=139. When
Shir2zi's music is uploaded, choose Haft Setareh and then play " I Iran" in it.
$1 1 . I . Listen to the song "Iran" to verify that it has a first-person speaker. Check any of the following words and phrases (X) that you hear in the song's lyrics.
A r y a n n n d ~ E w p e a n people 4 ~ 5 0 ( my homeland~falherland/rnotherland o
$1 1.2. Read the lyrics here to the song "Iran." Use your Persian-English dictionary (preferably Kirnia Persian-English
J&L=. o - 9
FJ 0 " 0 P 4 .
J~~~ o
4; Jj 0
Dictionary) to resolve questions about meaning of Persian words and phrases. Then, listen to the song without
looking at the printed lyrics. cr?rar&c;rro
my heart jJ 0 my d i r ~ e a r t ~ a n d &A A L 0
I'm crmylmad GI?J 0
I ' ~ ~ ~ ~ ,i & o , ,
I used to becomdwu becoming/would become p p 0
Do not read this Lexl unlil direcled to do so.
. u . . .u - .
Tonight, o heart, I've lost my mind. 61giJ Y J -1
I'm out of my mind (in thoughts of longing) for my nest. .rl Gus GI?J
I'm wearyltircd withlof this insensitiviy to the people.
I'm a seangedforeign(er), alien to good and bad.
, > ,
0 lord, give me patiencdthe strength to endure. "9 bJJISJF'UJ 4 , ,
My heart feels eonshcted from homesicknesdfeeling alienated. .$J iu* j l J& p
May i l k lhallhe morning prayer willgivea baldsalve to my hem.. .,L J 4 6 . . Gs bG JISL; LL 0 pah, il war the state of being a smger l fa r from home, period. .Le 4 Jgi e> IJJ;
711e only balmlsalve a soulmate.
711e only balmlsalve is my land/soiVearth.
My land was Imn. period.
-I &A A L khb pp
.Le 4 Jgi Gl%l> A L
homeland, fatherland, motherland - legend, fable
with demons and wild beasts.
R a t lovelyllovablddarling land
was unique like a jewel..
Would thatll wish I could be annillilatedc
(that) I couldwould become one with didealth.
Would that I inion the soil of the homeland
couldwould become lifeless.
R e house is no longer populated, flourishing
It's stoppedtiedeaught and uot h e ,
its atmosphere war and blood.
Ira, is not Ira, any mordbnger.
So ,where is Alyadlranian ethnicity?
Where me R o s m and Esfandiyh? (c--)e =
0 lord, our nobleichivalric people
what person gave them to the wind?
$1 1.3. Listen to the song again while reading its lyrics
$1 1.4. Think about the song as voicing the feelings of Iranians with the views of the poet Mehdi Akhavin-e Siles (d. 1990) at any time in Iranian history after the invasion of the Iranian plateau by Arab Muslims in the middle of the 7th century C.E. Think about the song as voicing views of Iranian expatriates in America who are opposed to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
$1 1.5. Watch The Rebirth of Rostmn again and listen to the song "Iran" played during the credits after the end of the
film. Think about the appropriateness of the song's lyrics to the film's action and theme(s).
$12. Watch The Rebirth of Rostam again, scene-by-scene. Refer to the list of words, phrases and sentences in Section 59 in places where you do not understand something said in the movie. The groups of words, phrases, and sentences in Section $9 are numbered according to scene number.
513. After thinking about the following questions and bearing in mind your earlier reading of a translation of Ferdowsi's story of Rostam and Sohrab, watch the film again in its entirety.
1. In Ferdowsi's story, Rostam visits Samangin because he has lost his horse Rakhsh outside of the city while sleeping after hunting and eating what he hunted. Does it matter that in the movie Rostam goes to Samang2n on assignment from King Kayksvus?
2. In Ferdowsi's story, Tahmineh's interest in Rostam is romantic or hero-worship. Does it matter that in the movie she says that she needs Rostam because her father is planning to entrust Samangin to her?
3. In Ferdowsi's story, no formal marriage between Rostam and Tahmineh takes place. Does it matter that in the movie there is a scene in which an official or cleric is preparing or reading a marriage contract?
4. In Ferdowsi's story Sohrib embarks on a military career to defeat the Turinian king Afrhiyab and to replace the Iranian king Kayksvus with Rostam and himself as partners, thus bringing an end to strife in the world. Does it matter that no such political ambition figures in the motivation of Sohrib in the movie?
5 . In Ferdowsi's story Sohrsb is smitten romantically by Gordifarid when her helmet comes off. Consequently, she is able to trick him and retreat to the White Fortress and escape from there with her army later that evening. Does it matter that the movie does not develop that story line?
6 . In Ferdowsi's story Rostam tricks Sohrfib into letting him live after Sohrib has knocked him to the ground and has drawn his dagger to kill Rostam. Then in a later battle, Rostam does not let Sohrtb up in similar circumstances, but quickly delivers a fatal dagger blow. Does it matter that the movie does not remain faithful to theShdhnheh story in these regards?
7. In the movie, we see Ferdowsi writing a version of the story in which Sohrib defeats his father and then changing his mind and discarding that draft of the tale's conclusion. We then see a version which ends with Sohrib on the ground and the screen goes black just as Rostam is about to stab his son to death. What reasons can have prompted Director Saied Ghahari to depict the poet Ferdowsi and the two versions of the end of the story when none of this material appears in Ferdowsi's Shdhnbmeh?
8. Do the many differences between Ferdowsi's story and the movie suggest any particular insight into the Iranian orientation or world view of the movie's director? In other words, does Saied Ghahari create his specific modem story of Sohrsb and Rostam because he is a particular son of 2lst-century heir to Iranian history and culture not living in Iran?
9. If you were making a movie out of the story of Rostam and Sohrfib and one of those two characters had to
die at the hands of the other, would your movie end in patricide or filicide? How would your culture or your age or both figure in your choice?
10. In light of the movie's plot and outcome, how do you interpret Ghahari's title The Rebirth of Rostanr?
814. For intermediate reading and listening practice, Dunwoody Press offers the following Persian readers and textbooks by Michael Craig Hillmann, all presenting authentic Persian texts, language notes or lessons, English translations, and accompanying audio CDs: Persian Fiction Reader: Second Edition (2003), Persian Newspaper Reader: Second Edition (2003). Reading Iran Reading Iranians: Second Edition Revised (2002). Persian Vocabulav Acquisition-An Iirtermediate Reader and Guide to Word Form. and the Arabic Element in Persian: Second Edition (2003), Persian Reading and Writing (2009), Persian Listenir~g (2009). and Persian Grammar a i ~ d Verbs (2009).