1. Introduction

I have chosen the 20 passages from “Sekandar Sees a Corpse in the Palace of Topazes” from Shahnameh (Norton, 210-11) as my chosen text. In this passage, Sekandar and his army continue their arrogant conquest and come across a mountain with a lapis lazuli crest. There are no animals or wildlife found around the mountain, however, on the top of it, there was a palace made out of topaz. The palace was full of fancy decorations such as: chandeliers, jewelries, and a fountain with salt water. Next to the fountain, they found two thrones and a corpse with the head of a boar lying on top of them. A brocade was put on the corpse, and a pillow full of camphor under its head, which is a waxy solid with a strong aroma. Sekandar sees a red jewel that was lighting up the whole palace and starts to feel weak and frightened. After seeing the thrones and the corpse, the water in the fountain calls Sekandar and warns him about his death, which makes Sekandar quickly leave this palace. I will state the relationship of the boar headed corpse as my chosen monster, and the throne on which the corpse was lying as my chosen object, by discussing their representations of a king who has fallen because of their arrogance, power, dishonor, and greed.