Az Firdawsī tā Bayz̤āyī

This scholarly volume offers a compelling comparative analysis of two titans of Persian literature: the classical poet Ferdowsi and the contemporary playwright Bahram Beyzaie. Author Shahyar Ziaee employs the rigorous methodology of genetic criticism to explore the profound interplay between literary creation and socio-political context. By juxtaposing the genesis of Ferdowsi’s 'Shahnameh' with Beyzaie’s modern screenplay 'The New Preface to the Shahnameh' (Dībāchah-ʼi novīn-i Shāhnāmah), the work illuminates how historical pressures shape artistic output across centuries. Ziaee examines how Beyzaie reimagines the national epic, transforming ancient myth into a critique of power and society relevant to the modern era. This book is an essential resource for students of Persian drama, literary theory, and the sociology of theatre, providing a fresh perspective on how Iran’s cultural heritage is continuously deconstructed and rebuilt by its greatest storytellers.