Studying the role and character of women in the structure of political power in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explain the role of women in the structure of political power from the perspective of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh. The research method used in this article is library type and the content analysis technique is used. The theoretical framework used in it is mythological criticism. The findings indicate that the relevant dimensions, indicators and components in Shahnameh have been determined and outlined in three dimensions, including: the social dimension, including 3 components and 11 indicators, the political dimension including 2 components and 10 indicators, and the personality dimension, including 2 components and 9 indicators. The results obtained from the analysis of Shahnameh also show that the women of Shahnameh, in addition to their love and feminine feelings towards their hero wives, had unparalleled power in managing state and military affairs. By offering their opinions and suggestions on political and national affairs, they have directly and indirectly intervened in the political power structure, which indicates the great influence of women in the political power structure.