Female characters in Kyrgyz epics

Female character types in Kyrgyz epics is the focus of this study. The scope of this dissertation consists of 20 Kyrgyz epics, which are translated into Turkish, having both a female and a male protagonist. 126 female characters that appear in these epics are included in the study. Having considered their typological characteristics and the actions they performed, these characters have been classified so that we can determine character types. In this classification, positive female character types in Kyrgyz epics are named as follows: "heroine", "lover", "ideal lover", "ideal mother", "healer", "odalisque", "rescuer", "innocent enemy", "forty girls", "bridesmaid" and "wet-nurse". Negative or evil female character types in Kyrgyz epics are named as follows: "enemy", "traitor", "bad wife (non-excellent wife)", "greedy", "trickster", "indiscreet" and "cruel parents". Following the classification, the typology of female characters is examined in a holistic manner. In order to clarify the classification and the naming used for female types, each of the Kyrgyz epics has been examined by using structural analysis. In this study, certain questions about epics -broadly described as heroic narratives- is attempted to be answered such as: "Who is the epic hero? Does the epic hero have to be a male? Does the heroine have an original biography? Do heroes have to be human? Is it a necessity for the hero to fight? Is there a commonly accepted heroic behavior?". Moreover, in this study it is aimed to analyze the typology of the female protagonist and other female characters in the epics having male protagonist. Thus, this dissertation aims to provide data to the researchers in the field of folklore as well as to the scholars of different fields who have been studying on "female character types in literature", "the role of female characters in folk narratives" and "gender".