Analysis

In Ferdowsi’s portrayal of King Zahhak, he is monstrous not only because of his physicality but also because of the evil acts he commits. He is the embodiment of evil and symbols like snakes are used to exemplify this. Ferdowsi’s focus on the world’s deteriorating state under King Zahhak suggests that the world cannot prosper under an unjust king. Perhaps this was a message against the pervasive tyranny during his time.  

The images used in this study provide a historical context and examine the religious roots of Zahhak’s story. The primary object, the incantation bowl, was used during demonic capture rituals, and this sheds light on the human tendency to attempt control monstrous beings. This is parallel to King Zahhak’s attempt to control the serpents on his shoulders – by feeding them human beings. In both these cases, humanity and monstrosity are blurred and we are pushed to question if there really a difference between humanity and monstrosity. Trying to capture demons to trap evil powers for one's benefit and killing innocent individuals to feed the serpents in his shoulders both sound like monstrous acts. The spiral of the inscription and the way the demonic figure seeps into it imply the hypotonic character of these figures- evident by Eblis himself. Moreover, the fear individuals felt in their attempts to control demonic figures parallels the fear Persian people felt that suffered under evil tyrants like King Zahhak. 

Next, the Persian manuscript portrays the religious roots that may have influenced Ferdowsi’s use of serpents in his story. In the Zoroastrian religion, serpents were used as punishments for sins, they were associated with Hell, and people were encouraged to destroy them (Peterson). It is possible that Ferdowsi’s use of serpents stems from the influence of the Zoroastrian religion.  

Later, a bowl after the advent of Islam shows similar negative connotation around serpents – bridging a gap between Islam and Zoroastrian motifs. Despite centuries apart, serpents were still portrayed as figures that needed to be destroyed. They continue to be shown as figures that embody evil. Since serpents are religiously shown associated with Hell and Ferdowsi’s portrayal of the world where “evil flourished” and demons did as they desired suggests that Zahhak is a figure that has brought Hell on Earth (Ferdowsi 2016, 3).  

To conclude, the incantation bowl, the Zoroastrian manuscript, and the Spanish bowl provide further context into King Zahhak’s tale and Ferdowsi’s choices when writing this.