Archetypal criticism of Shahriar -nameh according to Jung’s Theory

Archetypal criticism is one of the remarkable approaches in literary criticism which deals with variety of archetypes in literary texts.  Shahriar -nameh is counted among heroic epic texts after Shahnameh and deals with the destiny of Shahriar the son of Borzu.  After close inspection of this work, outstanding archetypes are drawn out and analyzed according to Jung’s theory.  In this epic the hero in order to attain individuality has to overcome obstacles.  At first he fights his own shadow and starts a challenging journey.  Along the way a wise man accompanies him to guide him through the dangerous path.  Demonic forces such as demons and dragons which are the manifestations of shadow appear on the path  whom Shahriar fights. Also he passes successfully from the haunting and fantastic places.  Next, he encounters a beautiful enchanting mistress and a witch, manifestations of his own anima in the epic with whom he struggles.  Sistan is regarded as the representative of stream consciousness from where Shahriar’s journey begins, then after experiencing individuality and perfection in the land of unconsciousness (India) he finally returns to his own family regaining his consciousness and in this way completes the loop of individuality connecting its end to the beginning.