The Dual Role of Nature in the Myth of Zal and the Epic of Hiawatha by Wadsworth ‎Longfellow ‎

Nature, since the dawn of human culture, is not only the cradle of myth and the inspiration for ‎the creation of epic heroes, but also a force that, in a dual manner, both shapes their identity, ‎virtues, and destiny, and acts as a challenging and threatening test. The present study, relying on ‎this multifaceted connection, examines the relationship between the hero and nature in two ‎works, Ferdowsi's "Shahnameh" (Zal) and Henry Longfellow's "The Song of Hiawatha," using ‎an analytical-comparative approach. This research aims to analyze the heroes' connection with ‎natural elements and the reflection of nature's simultaneously supportive and perilous forces, ‎and then, based on cultural and mythological comparison, to explore the commonalities and ‎differences in this relationship. The findings indicate that although in both myths, nature is a ‎source of life, transcendence, and wisdom, in Longfellow's narrative, Hiawatha's final journey ‎is a conscious return to the embrace of nature and an acceptance of the cycle of life, while in ‎Ferdowsi's narrative, Zal's immortality is depicted by remaining within the myth and an ‎unbreakable bond with nature. The results suggest that in both the myths of Zal and Hiawatha, ‎nature is a dual force that can be both a threat and a cause of destruction, and a ground for the ‎hero's spiritual growth and transcendence. This duality reflects each society's cultural ‎perspective on the natural world, and in both narratives, a deep and respectful connection with ‎nature is considered a prerequisite for achieving perfection and immortality.‎