The word “evil” can be interpreted in many ways. However, most people use the term harm to describe a deliberate wrongdoing that causes harm to others. At the heart of any compelling story, there is always the struggle of good versus evil. The person who possesses the evil characteristics in the story is often referred to as the villain. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, the character Iago possesses evil characteristics leading to destruction. In the Disney movie Aladdin, the villain Jafar possesses similar evil characteristics that lead to the same type of destruction. Both characters have motivations, and when comparing the two, one will find that although they come from different histories, the evil traits they possess make them seem like the mirror image of each other. In Shakespeare's Othello, Iago is known to be trustworthy and respected. Throughout the play, the characters often refer to him as "honest Iago". Othello, whose military judgment is superior, even took him on and called him a captain because of these characteristics. Iago seems to go against his reputation and act in a way that someone trustworthy would not. This gives the idea that Iago is actually a villain (Empson). Maybe Iago was always bad and simply created a false reputation for himself, or maybe he was once an honest man and simply decided to change his values. This doesn't change the fact that Iago is a manipulative trickster whose desire for power and revenge leads him to destruction. When it comes to manipulation, Iago knows best. Iago does everything possible to destroy Othello, the man who trusts him the most. Iago spends most of his time planning his revenge on Othello and we wonder why. When people do bad things it's usual... middle of paper ... it was actually a waste because although he was powerful, he was banished to a small lamp where his powers were useless. Iago and Jafar both possess evil characteristics, they come from extremely different backgrounds but somehow seem to have a mirror image of each other. They are faced with the difficulty of overcoming the wickedness that lies dormant within them. They lack empathy, depend on the manipulation of others, and seek only personal gain. They are true villains and remain so until the very end. Works Cited Auden, WH "Iago as a Practical Joker". . March 2001. February 19, 2014. Bradley, AC “Distinctive Characteristics of Othellos.” February 19, 2014. Empson, William. “Good and Evil in Othello”. July 1998. February 19, 2014. Johnson, Samuel. Character of Iagos. May 2004. February 19, 2014. Shaw, George Bernard. Complex character of Iagos. February 19 2014.