Lessons 12–13 · 2 lessons · Q. Yo‘ldoshev, V. Qodirov, J. Yo‘ldoshbekov. Literature: textbook for Grade 9 of general secondary schools. Revised and expanded 4th edition. “O‘zbekiston” NMIU, Tashkent, 2019
13
“Farhod and Shirin”: the false news, Farhod’s death and the ending
Textbook: pp. 73–79
GoalNarrate the false news, Farhod’s farewell and death and the ending of the dastan; explain Navoiy’s idea of justice.
Unable to defeat Farhod in open battle, Khusrav sends a crafty old woman with false news: that Mehinbonu and Khusrav have made peace and Shirin, unable to bear it, has died crying “Farhod!”. The news stabs Farhod’s heart like a knife: he collapses, weeps bitterly, and even mountain and valley weep for him. Sensing that his life is ending, Farhod bids farewell to the desert, mountains, sky and creatures, begs their pardon, and, remembering his parents, asks the morning breeze to carry his last message to them. He ties his death to fate, but wishes that his friend Bahrom would come with an army and call Khusrav to account for his innocent blood. After Farhod’s death Khusrav is killed by his own son Sheruya, Shirin passes away after Farhod, and Mehinbonu dies of grief. Farhod’s milk-brother Bahrom comes to the land of Armenia and establishes justice. In Navoiy’s view nothing in this world goes unanswered.
Worked examples
Example: even at the point of death Farhod thinks of his parents and asks that they be comforted. It shows his filial love, longing for his homeland and putting others’ sorrow above his own pain.
Example: though Khusrav rejoiced, his life did not last long: his own son Sheruya killed him. Navoiy explains this as time demanding Farhod’s blood-price from Khusrav – injustice does not go unpunished.
Class activity
Draw the events of the last three pages as a cause-and-effect chain (false news → Farhod’s death → the fates of Khusrav and Sheruya → Bahrom’s justice).
Practice
1
Who delivered the false news and why?
A crafty old woman hired by Khusrav, who, unable to beat Farhod, wanted to destroy him this way.
2
With whom did Farhod bid farewell before death and what did he ask?
With the desert, mountains, sky and creatures; he asked the morning breeze to carry word to his parents and console them.
3
What happened to Khusrav, Shirin and Mehinbonu at the end of the dastan?
Khusrav was killed by his son Sheruya; Shirin died after Farhod; Mehinbonu died of grief.
4
How does the idea that “nothing goes unanswered” appear in the events of the dastan?
Khusrav, who used trickery and tyranny, dies at his own son’s hand, while Bahrom restores justice and order.