Siavash

Epics recount the first human experiences and knowledge in a narrative often in a symbolic way. Therefore, they are especially important from different literary, mythology, and anthropology aspects. Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh is the most important Iranian epic, and Niebelungenlied (Song of Nibelungen) is the best epic of the Germans. Shahnameh belongs to New Persian and Niebelungenlied dates back to the Middle German eras. It seems that among the famous epics of the world, these two epics are less compared with each other. Great epic works, due to their origin in various natural, geographical, historical, and cultural contexts, have their own unique narration and special characteristics, along with significant commonalities. This research first narrates a brief summary of the story of both works, although in the case of Shahnameh, due to its huge volume, it is limited to a brief outline. Then, it compares common motifs and themes, and then discusses topics and stories with closer and more similarities, which is caused by similarities in the structure of their narrations. The thematic classification of the most important topics in this research includes the amazing characteristics of the hero, heroic tests, climatic (geographical) setting of the story, hero and anti-hero, dream and dream interpretation, treasure hunting, invulnerability, battle with the dragon, the trinity of power in three lands, the tragic disclosure of secrets, death of a hero, vengeful woman, and the marriage of the hero in a foreign land. 

This article argues that despite differences in language, setting, and cultural context, the three narratives—Siavash (from the Shahnameh), Hasanak Vazir (from the Tārīkh-i Bayhaqī), and The Lion and the Cow (from Kelileh and Demneh)—each serve as a literary criterion of their respective time and culture. Structurally, however, they revolve around the same core motif: the destructive cycle of jealousy and conspiracy orchestrated by their negative heroes (Garsīvaz, Būshal, and Demneh), who manipulate the protagonists into downfall. These villains incite the antagonistic figures (Afrasiab, Mas‘ud, and the Lion) to provoke and ultimately execute the tragic killings of the virtuous heroes—Siavash, Hasanak, and the Cow. Through this shared framework, the narratives reveal a universal archetype of betrayal and power dynamics.