Matthew Arnold’s Sohrab and Rustum, first published in 1853, is a rich and poignant narrative that deals with timeless themes of tragedy, heroism, fate, and the complexities of human relationships. Arnold’s poem, while based on an episode from the Persian epic Shahnameh by the poet Ferdowsi, resonates with classical ideals, echoing the grandeur and pathos of Homeric and Virgilian epics. The tragic encounter between a father and a son on the battlefield forms the core of this poem, but the deeper layers of emotional conflict and existential dilemmas make it more than just a heroic tale of war.
Arnold’s work, infused with the sensibilities of the Victorian era, reflects his intellectual and moral concerns. In Sohrab and Rustum, Arnold crafts a tragedy that contemplates the unpredictability of fate, the inevitable isolation of individuals, and the devastating consequences of pride and ignorance. In this blog article, we will delve into a detailed summary and analysis of the poem, explore the characters, and discuss the themes that make this work a timeless piece of literature.
Summary of Sohrab and Rustum
The poem begins with an evocative description of the Oxus River, which symbolizes the natural world’s vast, eternal calmness. This river flows through Central Asia, indifferent to human affairs, foreshadowing the tragic events that will unfold. Against this backdrop of nature’s imperturbability, the poem introduces the clash of two armies – the Persians and the Tartars. Rustum, a legendary warrior of the Persian army, and Sohrab, a young, brave champion from the Tartar side, are about to face each other in a fateful duel.
Unknown to Rustum, Sohrab is his own son, conceived years ago during a brief union with the Tartar princess Tahmineh. Sohrab, eager to prove his worth, yearns to find his father, whom he believes to be the great Rustum. Sohrab’s desire is not only to achieve personal glory but also to fight by his father’s side, uniting them as an unstoppable force.
Before the duel, Sohrab confronts Rustum, and in a moment of profound irony, he voices his belief that the older warrior before him may be his father. Rustum, however, dismisses this claim in his pride and refuses to acknowledge the possibility. The two engage in a fierce battle, which culminates in Sohrab’s fatal wounding at the hands of Rustum. As Sohrab lies dying, he reveals his identity, causing Rustum to experience the full weight of tragic recognition. Rustum, devastated by the realization that he has killed his own son, laments over Sohrab’s body, but it is too late. The poem closes with the unyielding Oxus river flowing on, indifferent to the sorrow and loss of human lives.
Analysis of Sohrab and Rustum
Arnold’s Sohrab and Rustum is structured as a classical epic with its elevated language, formal verse, and heroic protagonists. The poem adheres to many of the conventions of epic poetry, including the invocation of a vast setting, the presence of larger-than-life characters, and the unfolding of events that are subject to the whims of fate. However, Arnold also imbues the narrative with deep psychological and emotional layers, drawing on Romantic and Victorian concerns to make the poem resonate with contemporary readers.
The central conflict between Rustum and Sohrab is not just a literal battle but also an allegory for the conflicts between generations, the perils of pride, and the alienation inherent in human existence. The duel between father and son represents the ultimate form of misunderstanding and miscommunication, where both characters are blind to the truth until it is too late. Rustum’s refusal to consider Sohrab’s claim about their relationship underscores his rigid adherence to honor, duty, and pride, qualities that blind him to the deeper emotional truths that ultimately define the human experience.
Arnold’s description of nature, particularly the Oxus River, plays a crucial symbolic role in the poem. The river is indifferent, vast, and eternal, reflecting the insignificance of human life in the larger scheme of the universe. This natural element underscores the theme of fate, as the events of the poem unfold with a sense of inevitability. Human beings, no matter how great, are subject to the inexorable flow of time and the indifference of the universe.
The tragedy of Sohrab and Rustum lies in the irrevocability of the consequences of pride, misunderstanding, and the failure to recognize emotional truths. Rustum’s blindness to his own vulnerability as a father and his adherence to the code of honor lead to a heartbreaking realization that his pride has cost him everything that truly matters. The poem’s final lines, where Rustum laments over Sohrab’s body while the Oxus flows on, serve as a stark reminder of the futility of human struggles in the face of cosmic forces beyond our control.
Character Analysis
Rustum: The Heroic but Tragic Father
Rustum, the Persian hero, embodies the archetypal warrior figure—strong, fearless, and deeply committed to his duty and honor. His reputation as an invincible warrior is well-established, and he carries the weight of expectation not only from his people but also from himself. Rustum’s pride in his identity as a warrior, however, becomes his tragic flaw. His reluctance to believe Sohrab’s claim of kinship, even when Sohrab hints at their possible relationship, stems from Rustum’s unwillingness to face the emotional complexity of fatherhood. Rustum’s identity is tied so strongly to his role as a warrior that he cannot allow himself to entertain the idea of vulnerability or emotional connection.
Rustum’s character arc follows a classic tragic trajectory: he is a great man undone by his own internal blindness. The moment of anagnorisis—the recognition that Sohrab is his son—comes too late to change the outcome. Rustum’s grief is overwhelming, but it is also futile, as the harm has already been done. In this sense, Rustum is a tragic figure in the mold of classical heroes like Oedipus or Achilles, whose greatest strengths are also their fatal weaknesses.
Sohrab: The Idealistic and Tragic Youth
Sohrab, by contrast, represents youthful idealism and a desire for connection. He enters the battlefield not with the same grim sense of duty that drives Rustum, but with a longing for reunion and emotional fulfillment. Sohrab’s quest is as much about finding his father as it is about proving himself as a warrior. He approaches the duel with hope and a belief in the possibility of reconciliation, making his eventual fate all the more tragic.
Sohrab’s tragic flaw lies in his innocence and idealism. He is unable to foresee the brutal realities of war and the stubbornness of human pride. His naivety in believing that Rustum would recognize him or be willing to acknowledge their bond contributes to his downfall. In a way, Sohrab’s character serves as a critique of the romanticized notions of heroism and warfare. He represents the loss of youthful hope in the face of harsh realities, and his death serves as a devastating reminder of the cost of pride, miscommunication, and fate.
Themes in Sohrab and Rustum
1. Tragedy and Fate
The dominant theme of Sohrab and Rustum is the inexorable force of fate and the tragic consequences of human choices. From the beginning, the poem is imbued with a sense of inevitability, as the duel between Rustum and Sohrab seems predestined. The characters are caught in the grip of fate, unable to alter the course of events despite their desires or intentions. Rustum’s pride and Sohrab’s idealism both contribute to the tragic outcome, but the sense of cosmic indifference, embodied by the Oxus River, suggests that human beings are ultimately powerless in the face of larger, uncontrollable forces.
The tragedy in the poem is not just the death of Sohrab but also the emotional devastation that Rustum experiences. The recognition of their familial bond comes too late, and this delayed recognition heightens the sense of tragic inevitability. Arnold’s use of classical tragedy conventions, where the hero’s downfall is caused by a combination of personal flaws and external forces, gives the poem a timeless resonance.
2. The Isolation of the Individual
A significant theme in the poem is the isolation of individuals, even within familial relationships. Rustum and Sohrab’s inability to recognize each other as father and son underscores the broader human condition of isolation and miscommunication. Despite their biological connection, they are ultimately strangers to each other, separated by time, circumstance, and pride.
The theme of isolation is also reflected in the larger social context of the poem. Rustum, as a legendary warrior, is isolated by his status and reputation. He is expected to be invulnerable and stoic, which prevents him from engaging with his emotions or forming meaningful connections. Sohrab, meanwhile, is isolated by his youth and his quest for identity. He is driven by a desire to find his father, but this quest ultimately leads to his demise.
3. The Conflict Between Duty and Emotion
The tension between duty and emotion is another key theme in Sohrab and Rustum. Rustum, as a warrior, is bound by a code of honor and duty that defines his actions. His refusal to acknowledge Sohrab’s claims stems from his commitment to this code and his fear of appearing weak or vulnerable. However, this adherence to duty comes at the cost of emotional fulfillment and human connection.
Sohrab, on the other hand, is driven by emotion and a desire for personal connection. His desire to find his father and fight alongside him is motivated by love and a need for identity. This conflict between duty and emotion plays out tragically in the poem, as both characters are ultimately destroyed by their inability to reconcile these competing impulses.
Conclusion
Matthew Arnold’s Sohrab and Rustum is a powerful exploration of tragic heroism, fate, and the complexities of human relationships. Through the tragic encounter between Rustum and Sohrab, Arnold delves into themes of isolation, pride, and the consequences of miscommunication. The poem’s classical structure and epic language elevate the personal tragedy of its characters to a universal level, making it a timeless meditation on the human condition.
Rustum and Sohrab, as characters, embody the tragic conflict between duty and emotion, strength and vulnerability, youth and experience. Their story is not just a heroic tale of war but also a deeply emotional narrative about the costs of pride and the irreversible nature of fate. Arnold’s use of nature imagery, particularly the symbolic Oxus River, reinforces the theme of cosmic indifference, highlighting the smallness of human struggles in the face of the vast, uncaring universe.
In the end, Sohrab and Rustum leaves readers with a profound sense of the fragility of human life and the inevitability of loss. It is a poem that resonates across time, speaking to the eternal themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in a world governed by forces beyond our control.
