The Journey Of Vengeance In The Lion King By William Shakespeare

Poison to the ear, a stab wound to the ribs, scavengers hyenas and the circle of life. Believe it or not, Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ was based off of the 400 year old tragedy by William Shakespeare. In the play, main character Hamlet embarks upon a journey of vengeance and is entirely self-reliant. The aim of his eye for an eye? His fathers murderer, and Norway’s wrongful king; Claudius. (Hamlet 1.5) Hamlet outwardly mourns, proclaiming his adoration for his “noble” father, and when prompted by the spirit representative of his dead father, Hamlet immediately becomes completely dedicated to avenging his fathers death with orders to kill his uncle Claudius. (Hamlet 1.2.71) Similarly, in the Disney animation, ‘The Lion King’, the protagonist, Simba,

(The Lion King) Just after Simba is presented as the next king of the lions on Pride Rock, his jealousy ridden uncle Scar begins plotting with the enemy hyenas and creates a giant stampede below the iconic Pride Rock. (The Lion King) Scary wrestles with Mufasa at the top, pinning him down and letting his grip go; finally sending Mufasa falling to the stampede which takes him victim. (The Lion King) Simba now runs off, however on his solo journey he is encountered by the spirit of his late father in the water's reflection who tells him that ruling the Pridelands is his destiny and it is his responsibility to protect that land and his people. (The Lion King). Like in Hamlet the corrupt uncle now becomes king and the two main characters are presented with a responsibility; to retrieve their kingdoms. By examining ‘The Lion King’ side by side with Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ it can be determined that Hamlet is motivated by duty and seeking revenge for his fathers murder whereas Simba is more motivated by honor and loving

In the beginning of the play ‘Hamlet’, the lead character Hamlet is approached by a ghost; something that people in the Elizabethan Era believed, due to underdeveloped scientific understanding, to be in the realm of reality. (“British Library” par. 3) The ghost in the play claims to be Hamlet's father and informs Hamlet of a great injustice and instructs him to take revenge. (Hamlet 1.5.45) Since Hamlet is the only person holding this secret truth, it causes turmoil between Hamlet and even his closest friends. (Hamlet 2.2.336) Claudius, in sneaky desperation manipulates Hamlet’s friends, family and the citizens of his kingdom of Denmark into believing that Hamlet has gone dangerously mad and must be removed in the name of public safety. (Hamlet 4.3.2-3) Claudius asks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet, and report back their conversation to make sense of his actions. (Hamlet 2.2.68) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were Hamlet's friends first, however like many underclass citizens, were desperate to prove themselves to the King, they hit their knees in his