Applying the Tensive Model to Ferdowsi's Rustam and Sohrab and Its Translation by Arnold

The purpose of this study is to look into post-Greimasian semiotics and investigate how this tensive model can be applied to Rustam and Sohrab in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh and its translation by Arnold. The tensive model, considering the two dimensions of intensity and extent, investigates meaning formation and production. Accordingly, this research intends to analyze the semiotic patterns in the two poems and see whether Arnold’s translation follows the same pattern as the source text. There are four elementary plus canonical models defined for the tensive model. Since in Arnold’s version of Rustam and Sohrab, some parts of the source text do not exist (although the main topic is followed), only those common parts in meaning were selected and the tensive model was applied to the discourses. Arnold followed the Greek style in his poems that considered mostly the impression derived from the poem and regarded the whole poem and not the isolated parts. In Rustam and Sohrab, Arnold shows this Greek style remarkably. The results of this study demonstrate that the discourses in the two poems mostly follow the tensive model which shows more affection, sensation, emotion, and tension. Furthermore, Arnold’s translation follow the same semiotic patterns as Ferdowsi’s Rustam and Sohrab in most cases.