Gray Antagonism in Shahnama of Ferdowsi Based on Laclauo and Mouffe Discourse Theory

Among the multiple layers of identity, Shahnama of Ferdowsi can be deemed as the most highlighted factor in defining Iranian national identity. As a matter of fact, sustainability of social identity requires a meaningful history, which is clear and vivid in Shahnama. Accordingly, Shanama is called a collective self-awareness of Iranian identity. This self-awareness has been emerged as a "we" against "other". The main objective of this paper is to Antagonism process than others in Shahnameh and the reflection of this process is the relation between self and others. The findings of this study, based on Laclau and Mouffe's theory, indicate that this antagonism is not white or black, but of a gray nature And therefore never completely "other" into the trap of exclusion, confrontation and conflict will not be.