Arts & Culture

Shahnameh Inspired C.S. Lewis & J.R.R Tolkien ( See letters)

Ferdowsi's immortal story was to partly inspire both C.S. Lewis (Narnia Chronicles) and J.R.R Tolkien (Lord of the Rings) both of whom as members of The Inklings, an Oxford literary group, united by a love of literature and traditional values,greatly admired the Persian Poet's Book of Kings and were inspired by Persian Pre-Islamic Mythology. A confirmation of this assessment was given recently by a publication of Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis Cambridge 1950- 1963 in which we learn about his endorsement of Zoroastrianism as "one of the finest of the Pagan religions," and his eagerness to see more recognition for the Persian epic The Shahnameh. Ferdowsi'sBook of Kings told them important things about life-about who they were, what the world was like, and about the realm of the divine, rejoicing in their triumphant moments, weeping at tragic turns of events. Thus proving the universality of literature and its quest for immortal legends in the Empire of Dreams and Nightmares ...

no more no less than Shakespeare's plays are History ...

Interesting debate though ...

Although Shakespeare relies less on Fantasy and mythological creatures and situations. 

Thank you Dr. Daryaee

for posting this very interesting video.