Character · The Shahnameh · Volume I

Sudabehسودابه

soo-dah-BEH

Daughter of the king of Hamavaran and wife of Kavus, who desires Siavash.

In the poem: First at B6.2, Kavus Seeks Sudabeh’s Hand; last at B10.4, Rostam Takes Vengeance
Named: 47 times, in 17 sections
Main stories: B9 The Story of Siavash (41); B6 The Folly of Kay Kavus (4); B10 Vengeance for Siavash and the Retrieval of Kay Khosrow (2)
Plates: Vol I: V

Genealogical plate: The Kayanian House — Volume I, Plate V: The Kayanian House. Tap to open the genealogies.

In the poem’s own words

The 8 sections that name Sudabeh most often, with the summary from the Notes and the couplets that name Sudabeh. Tap a couplet number to read it in the full poem.

B6.2

Kavus Seeks Sudabeh’s Hand

Kavus hears of the king of Hamavaran’s beautiful daughter and sends an envoy to ask for her. The king, grieved but afraid, consults Sudabeh, who gladly accepts. She is sent with a rich train, and Kavus marries her.

B6.2.32
He summoned fair Sudabeh to his side,And spoke of Kavus with a troubled pride:
B6.2.53
He deemed Sudabeh fit to be his wife;By rite and faith he joined with her for life.

Sudabeh named 2 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B9.6

Sudabeh Falls in Love with Siavash

Sudabeh sees Siavash and is seized by passion. When he refuses her secret invitation, she persuades Kavus to send him into the women’s hall to visit his sisters. Siavash suspects a trap, and perhaps a test, but agrees to obey.

B9.6.2
One day Kay Kavus sat beside his son,When fair Sudabeh entered, bright as sun.
B9.6.3
Sudabeh suddenly beheld his face,And stood transfixed before his youthful grace.
B9.6.10
Another dawn, Sudabeh sought the king,And shaped her words to serve her hidden sting:

Sudabeh named 6 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B9.7

Siavash Visits Sudabeh

Led by the Hirbad, Siavash enters the women’s hall, where Sudabeh embraces him far too long. He escapes to his sisters, then praises the hall to his father. Kavus proposes a royal marriage, and Siavash agrees but asks that Sudabeh have no part in it.

B9.7.4
Tell fair Sudabeh, as he nears her door,To scatter gems and musk across the floor.
B9.7.19
There sat Sudabeh, splendid to behold,A heaven rich with fragrance, hue, and gold.
B9.7.41
That night the Shah within the harem came,And called Sudabeh privately by name:

Sudabeh named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B9.8

Siavash Visits the Bower Again

Sudabeh parades her daughters and maidens before Siavash, then unveils herself, offers him her body and demands his oath. Remembering Hamavaran, he answers softly and asks only for her daughter. She tells Kavus the match is made, but vows to have Siavash or ruin him.

B9.8.2
Sudabeh sat in joy upon her throne,A crown of ruby, gold, and jewels shone.
B9.8.20
Sudabeh asked: “What purpose lies concealed?Tell me what wish within your heart is sealed.
B9.8.27
Sudabeh, daughter of that land, sets snares;No love for this royal house she bears.”

Sudabeh named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B9.10

Sudabeh Beguiles Kay Kavus

Sudabeh tears her robes and cries that Siavash assaulted her, adding that she is pregnant. Kavus hears both, then smells his son’s hands and body and finds no trace of her perfume. Convinced of Siavash’s innocence, he spares Sudabeh out of love and old loyalty.

B9.10.1
Sudabeh tore her robes and clawed her face,Then raised a dreadful cry throughout the place.
B9.10.8
Sudabeh wept and tore her hair in dread,Then spoke before the Shah, and this she said:
B9.10.18
He cleared the place and, throned, he bade appearHis son and Sudabeh, with no one near.

Sudabeh named 5 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B9.11

Sudabeh and a Sorceress Devise a Scheme

Sudabeh bribes a pregnant sorceress in the palace to take a drug and miscarry, then displays the two stillborn infants as her own children, killed by Siavash’s violence. Her lament wakes the palace, and Kavus, troubled, begins to doubt again.

B9.11.1
Sudabeh, shamed and cast from royal grace,Perceived estrangement written on his face.
B9.11.16
They laid the Div-born infants in the bowl;Sudabeh shrieked and played the mourner’s role.
B9.11.18
The servants rushed and gathered at the sound,And hurried toward Sudabeh all around.

Sudabeh named 4 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B9.12

Kavus Questions the Matter of the Infants

Kavus’s astrologers find that the dead infants are neither his nor Sudabeh’s. The sorceress is caught but will not confess, and Sudabeh claims the seers are too frightened to speak the truth. The Mobadan advise a trial by fire, and Siavash accepts it.

B9.12.4
He told them of Sudabeh and her claim,Her conduct and the matter of her shame.
B9.12.8
These children spring from someone else’s seed;Not Shah’s nor Sudabeh’s, as we can read.
B9.12.12
Sudabeh cried aloud and sought redress,And pressed her claim with tears and wild distress:

Sudabeh named 7 times here · read the section in the full poem · notes

B9.14

Siavash Intercedes for Sudabeh

Kavus condemns Sudabeh to the gallows, and she claims that Zal’s sorcery saved Siavash from the flames. Seeing his father’s grief, Siavash begs for her life, and Kavus gladly pardons her. His love soon returns, and she resumes her plotting. The poet reflects on fate.

B9.14.2
In wrath he summoned Sudabeh to his hall,And named the former evils, root of all.
B9.14.20
Then Siavash thought: “If by his decreeSudabeh dies, what grief may fall on me?
B9.14.30
His former passion settled as of old;His eyes on Sudabeh would keep their hold.