Shapoor's Character in the Story of Khosrow and Shirin

Analyzing the characters of a story and their attributes, has found a certain place in literary studies. Identifying their characteristics familiarizes the reader with the story, its writer or composer. Some of the characters are known as the main characters and the story revolves round their pivot. There are also some other characters with no apparently important role in the story, but paying a little attention, one realizes their deep and key, but hidden influence throughout the story so that if a certain character is omitted, the total trend of the story changes. In the story of Khosrow and Shirin, as their names imply Khosrow and Shirin play the major roles in the story and Shapoor is the key character. But up to now, this character has not been analyzed properly. The author investigates different aspects of Shapoor’s character and analyzes his role and influence in formation and integration of the story as well as analyzing Nezami’s talent in creating and using such sophisticated and effective characters in the story.