In The Dragon's Flaw Analysis

Abolqasem Ferdowsi’s In the Dragon’s Claws: The Story of Rostam & Esfandiyar from the Persian Book of Kings, is a story that comes from the Shahnameh, a book containing many different narratives detailing Iranian history and mythology. The story In the Dragon’s Claws presents two heroes of Iran, Rostam and Esfandiyār, who are victims of fate. The story traces the power struggle between Rostam and Esfandiyār, as well as the power struggle between Esfandiyār and his father Goshtāsp, the Shah of Iran. While many themes are at work in this story, perhaps the most important theme observed is the intervention of fate and the role of the divine in the lives of the characters. The Iranians believed that “God prefers Iran to other nations and sustains
Although Esfandiyār does not find any fault in Rostam, he must obey the shah because any “challenges to royal authority invariably lead to the challenger’s death” (16). Esfandiyār does not want to be judged harshly on Judgment Day by Yazdān, so he chooses to obey the shahs command. Rostam and Esfandiyār both show their devout belief in the divine by the words they speak when they first meet each other. Upon meeting each other, both of the warriors thank the “Lord of All” that they are guided safely to each other (60, 61). Esfandiyār displays his faithfulness to Yazdān time and again throughout the story, saying he cannot disobey the shah’s wishes, or else he will “surely face the judgment of [Yazdān]” (66). The young prince continuously pledges his allegiance to Goshtāsp, even though he does not want to challenge Rostam. Esfandiyār also believes that Yazdān is present with him in battle, stating “in war my one companion is Yazdān. And fortune smiles on everything I do” (97). The heroes of this tale are very focused on the supernatural and the authority they hold in their lives. They continually question how their actions will affect the way Yazdān views them and what