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Poetry · Character

Rostam

The mighty Persian hero who, stung by taunts about hoarding his fame, agrees to fight the young challenger in plain arms.

major

Also known as The mighty Rostam, the great Rostam

First appearance: i

As a major figure in Poetry, Rostam is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

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Rostam answers Gudurz's challenge with a smile that turns to wrath, refusing at first to risk his name against a youth, then vowing to fight unknown and unmarked. He longs for a son like Sohrab to carry his fame,…

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The fuller portrait of Rostam sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Rostam in i

Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Rostam sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

SOSohrabGUGudurzTETemenusAFAfrasiabRARakhshRORostam

Relationship types

  • Family
  • Other

Character groups

  • Persian epic heroes
  • Miscellaneous literary figures

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

In "Longing," the emotional peak occurs as the speaker shifts from passive despair to an active, desperate ple…

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Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Rostam in i