The study of the relationship between ugliness and destruction in Shahnameh Ferdowsi

Shahnameh encompasses beliefs and thoughts of Iranian people and Persian identity can be well sought in this grand work. One of its key issues is the connection of ugliness with destruction. This belief is numerously mentioned in Shahnameh and is worthy of consideration. This research is an attempt to seek the deep structure of this relationship and then study its reflection in Shahnameh. Ugliness and destruction come together and this is rooted in many religions and sects in the ancient Iran since when the dark odious Ahriman is introduced as the creator of malevolent deceitful creatures, it follows that whatever ugliness, evil deeds, flaw, impurity and viciousness exists they all return to him. Therefore because Ahriman is terminator, his creatures are also destroyers. Throughout Shahnameh unsightly people are recognized as evil and exterminators. This motif is so strong in Shahnameh that in many cases terminators are introduced as evil and hideous characters.