Rustam in Ferdowsi’s *Shahnameh* is traditionally regarded as the embodiment of heroic valor, strength, and loyalty to kingship. The story of Sohrab’s death, however, represents a crucial turning point in the development of this character. Beyond being one of the most tragic episodes of the epic, this event provides an opportunity to reconsider the deeper dimensions of Rustam’s character and his relationship with political power, heroic ethics, and the institution of the family. This study examines the transformation of Rustam’s character before and after Sohrab’s death in order to analyze how this event reshapes his moral outlook, actions, and position within the narrative structure of the *Shahnameh*.

The research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach based on qualitative content analysis. The data are drawn primarily from the critical edition of the *Shahnameh* edited by Jalal Khaleghi‑Motlagh, along with major studies in Shahnameh scholarship. Verses depicting Rustam’s actions and attitudes in the episodes before and after Sohrab’s death are analyzed with particular attention to three central axes: power, heroic ethics, and familial bonds.

The findings indicate that Sohrab’s death is not merely a personal tragedy but a structurally significant moment in the narrative of the *Shahnameh* that leads to a notable transformation in Rustam’s character. Following this event, Rustam gradually shifts from a hero defined primarily by loyalty to royal authority to a more independent figure whose relationship with power becomes more critical and complex. His relationship with Kay Kāvus grows increasingly tense, while the ethical code of heroism begins to detach from the framework of kingship. At the same time, Rustam’s recognition of his role as a father introduces a profound sense of moral responsibility and identity crisis.

This transformation not only reshapes Rustam’s character but also moves the narrative toward a more tragic and reflective dimension within the epic.