Hasan Sabbah: The Paradox of Control and Liberation

The concept of Familial Blood and Materia Prima are revealed to be equivalent, supplying the necessary essence for the development of the vital body during infancy. This equivalence highlights the significance of familial ties and the essential substances that sustain life. However, this relationship is juxtaposed with the figure of Hasan Sabbah, who utilized narcotics to control his followers. This paradox raises questions about the nature of control and liberation, as the same substance that sustains life can also be used to manipulate and dominate.

Hasan Sabbah, also known as the "Old Man of the Mountain," is linked to De Quincey, who described the effects of opium and its psychological impact in his Confessions of an Opium Eater. This connection demonstrates the historical context of opium use and its potential for control. De Quincey's account serves as a lens through which we can understand the mechanisms of manipulation employed by Hasan Sabbah. The relationship between Hasan Sabbah and De Quincey also highlights the tension between the pursuit of knowledge and the risk of exploitation.

The relationships between Hasan Sabbah, Poppies, and De Quincey reveal a network of influence and control. Hasan Sabbah's use of narcotics to control his followers is mirrored in De Quincey's descriptions of opium's effects. The source of opium, Poppies, is implicated in this narrative, as the substance that enables control. This web of relationships raises questions about the autonomy of individuals and the power dynamics at play when substances are used to manipulate and control.

The self-referential relationship between Hasan Sabbah and his own influence on his followers through narcotics highlights the central part he plays in this narrative. This relationship blurs the lines between autonomy and manipulation, as the same substance that sustains life can also be used to control. The connection between Materia Prima and Hasan Sabbah's use of narcotics further emphasizes the paradox of control and liberation, as the essential substance that supports life is also used to manipulate.