The age-old theme of good versus evil is presented in both William Golding's Lord of the Flies (LOTF), and William Shakespeare's Othello. The characters are used to show the battle between the two. Simon and Desdemona who represent purity and embody an innate goodness are challenged by many characters that do not possess the same holy qualities- who have actually subsided to the evil that is, in every way, their opposite. Jack and Iago represent the evil in the novels. Unfortunately in both pieces we see the loss of life for the pure characters through the clutches of evil. The evil does not necessarily win, as both characters maintain their standings as upright and completely pure individuals, even in their brutal murders.

Simon and Desdemona clearly represent all that is good in the world. The characters are portrayed by the authors to be very understanding and compassionate individuals. Desdemona expresses in her language and actions, an innocent, unselfish love and concern for others. This is evident when Desdemona makes pleas on behalf Cassio for Othello's forgiveness, and in her inability to comprehend a woman's desire to cheat. Cassio has asked Desdemona to make a

Although the murder of both characters is uncalled for and unjust, the authors make it clear that they have not been corrupted by the evil that took their lives. Golding makes a point to carefully detail Simon's burial. The following in an exert from his burial-

In this scene Simon appears to be a savior for the littluns. He is unselfish in his labour to provide everyone with the food they need to survive. Another instance of this occurs when Jack and the hunters return from the hunt with meat for all of the boys, excluding Piggy. Piggy is infuriated with the treatment he is receiving, but is still refused meat from Jack. At this point Simon "wiped his mouth and shoved his piece of meat over the rocks to Piggy" (78) Through these and other scenes Desdemona and Simon's good nature and concern for others is made obvious.

It is a very poetic passage from the text and Golding places such emphasis on it to cement the fact that Simon truly was a virtuous individual, and remains this way in death.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Jack Iago, Cassio Desdemona, Othello Strangle, Simon Desdemona, Honest Iago, Piggy Jack, Farewell Commend, Iago Jack, Jack Simon, Desdemona Simon, jack iago, theme versus evil, othello desdemona, pure characters, love concern, versus evil, theme versus, simon desdemona, lord flies, desdemona represent, simon desdemona represent,
Approximate Word count = 1143
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)