The Lion King Macbeth Comparison

879 Words4 Pages

Macbeth, one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays, is a tragedy about one man rising to the top to subsequently fall. The Lion King is an animated Disney movie about a lion cub learning about life while on the run following his father’s death. The Lion King and Macbeth compare to certain multitudes, as well as contrast to a certain degree. Similarities and differences between the movie and play are shown between Duncan and Mufasa, Malcolm and Simba, Macbeth and Scar, the three witches and Rafiki, and the theme of appearance versus reality. Similar to King Duncan, Mufasa was a fantastic king. He took care of the animals and they loved him. King Duncan was plotted against by Macbeth. Macbeth wanted to rise to the top and become king following Duncan’s death. Scar, who is the main antagonist in The Lion King, plotted against Mufasa because he wanted to become …show more content…

As quoted before, Lady Macbeth said, “your hand, your tongue; look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” (Shakespeare 1.6. 70-71). This clearly demonstrates the theme of appearance versus reality by saying not everything is what it appears to be on the outside as it is on the inside. Many characters in Macbeth changed their personality to present themselves as good, meaningful characters. In the meantime, many of them were also plotting deaths upon their enemies. Scar looked at Simba, “what have you done?” he asked, and continued to say, “the king is dead, and if it weren’t for you, he’d still be alive.” (The Lion King). At this time in the movie, Mufasa had just died and Scar is questioning what happened as if he had nothing to do with it. Scar is purposely blaming Simba for the death of Mufasa. Despite the fact that they share the same blood, Scar had plotted Mufasa’s death the whole