Vizier

A Vizier (????, sometimes also spelled Vizir, Wasir, Wazir, Wesir - grammatical vowel changes are common in many oriental languages)

Art

In contemporary literature and pantomime, the "Grand Vizier" is a character stereotype and is usually portrayed as a scheming backroom plotter and the clear power behind the throne of a usually bumbling or incompetent monarch. A well-known example of this is the sinister character of Jafar in the Disney movie Aladdin who plots and uses magic to take over the entire Kingdom of Agrabah under the nose of the nation's naïve sultan, just as Jaffar in the 1940 movie The Thief of Bagdad dethroned his master, caliph Ahmad. Others include the comic book character Iznogoud and the villains of the video games Prince of Persia and King's Quest VI.

Related Topics:
Pantomime - Stereotype - Power behind the throne - Jafar - Disney - Aladdin - The Thief of Bagdad - Iznogoud - Video game - Prince of Persia - King's Quest VI

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Perhaps the origin of this character archetype is the biblical account of Esther. The book details the rise of a Jewish woman to Queen of Persia, and her role in stopping the plot of Haman, chief advisor to the Persian king, to wipe out all Jews living in Persia.

Related Topics:
Biblical - Esther - Jewish - Queen - Persia - Haman

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Throughout history the notion of the sinister Grand Vizier has often been invoked when a political leader appears to be developing a cozy relationship with a spiritual advisor of questionable scruples or talents.

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