Of all the greater demons we’ve seen so far (Lilith, Azazel) Asmodeus has the most distinguished, a bit outdated, flowery, if not pretentions pattern of speech. He basically talks in some quotes, sayings and world plays (“Or do my eyes deceive me?” – followed by the flash of the demonic cat eyes), which is not surprising, considering how much free time he has on his hands and all of those books lying around in his place.
And I know that I’m probably overcomplicating simple things and looking for hidden meanings where there are none, but one thing that keeps me thinking is this Asmodeus’ line:
“There is a time when we all must return to live in the houses of our fathers.”
It feels like a quote, probably a Bible quote, but Google search doesn’t have exact results... It also seems like it’s supposed to be a reference to “The Parable of the Prodigal Son”, which makes sense, given the relationship Asmodeus and Magnus have. Yet, for whatever reason, it also reminds me of the quote from the English Burial Service.
(I mean, I know that this is Shadowhunters, and not some show like Twin Peaks, where everything is symbolic and every word has a double meaning, but still...)
The text of that service is adapted from the Biblical text, Genesis 3:19:
“By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”
There is a time when we all must return [there is a time when everyone dies] to live in the houses of our fathers [“fathers” / parents “make” us – compare to “you were made from dust, and to dust you will return”]
Asmodeus wants Magnus to rule beside him. But what does Magnus have to sacrifice to become the rightful co-ruler of Edom?
In s2 Jonathan said that in order for him to stay in Edom he had to lose his human skin.
The first day I was there, they started burning my skin. Just one layer at a time. They said I was too pretty for their world... Too human.
The situations are different here of course, Jonathan is biologically a Shadowhunter, whereas Magnus is the son of Asmodeus. But still. Magnus is more human than Jonathan ever was (ever was given a chance to be). So what if this deal with Asmodeus (Asmodeus’ secret plan) is about stripping Magnus of his humanity via death and rebirth?
Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself. (x)
There’s a popular fanon theory that as Magnus is mortal now, he may be on the verge of death in s3B.
Again, this is more of a fanfiction territory, but what if that actually is Asmodeus’ plan all along – he wants Magnus to die, loose his human part, and then resurrect, be reborn as a true heir of Asmodeus, the rightful co-ruler of Edom?
