Emily Grant Privett

It known by nearly everyone that William Shakespeare is popular for his famous storylines and excellent characterization.  Over the past several decades, America has lost touch with Shakespeare’s British classics, all until Disney released its version of a modern day Hamlet: The Lion King.  Shakespeare’s story of responsibility and revenge was adapted by a children’s company, carrying the timeless story to a new generation.

The first and greatest similarity is that of Simba and Hamlet.  At a young age, both of our protagonists share a similar fate.  Similarly, the fathers of both Simba and Hamlet are killed.  Simba is born the son of a king.  He is undeniably born with a great deal of responsibility.  Simba loses his father early in his life, the years that he needs his guidance most.  Both deal with their share of troubles.  Also, both delayed their responsibility as much as possible.  Neither wanted to take responsibility for their royal heritage, and both in fact, ran away from their responsibilities for a short time.

Also, the father of Hamlet and Mufasa share a similar characterization.  The father of Hamlet once ruled Denmark.  His land was peaceful and prosperous.  Mufasa had a very similar rule.  Under him, the animal kingdom was happy.  There was peace.  The land was safe.  Simba enjoyed his early days in the Pride Lands.  He focused on his son and the responsibilities he would soon take on.  After each of them die, they both become a ghostlike spirit, haunting their sons.  They tell them to avenge their deaths and to take responsibility, overthrowing what their uncles had accomplished.  They serve as a reminder and an encourager.  Although neither tells their son exactly what action to take, they both strongly imply the responsibility their sons have.

The villains of the two stories also are directly related to each other.  Both Scar and the King, Claudius, play similar roles.  Both used the murder of their brother to usurp the throne of their respective kingdoms.  Scar and Claudius put on false faces, making them seem like much better people than they actually turn out to be.  They pretend to be friendly and caring.  Both enjoy the new life as king.  They celebrate the new power they recently acquired.  Claudius holds celebrations and parties to bring himself power.  Scar uses his recently gained power to take control of the Pride Lands.  He sends his army across them in order to have a grasp on all of the Pride Lands.  Both of the new kings abuse their new-found power, both leading their kingdoms to turmoil.  It is from this point that the characters begin to take different paths.  Scar maintains his evilness throughout the rest of the story.  Claudius, on the other hand, feels guilt for his actions.  Both, on the other hand, admit their wrongdoing.  Claudius, though, attempts to repent for his wrongdoing whereas Scar boasts in the way he overcame his rather naïve brother.  In the end, the two villains meet their end in the way that they killed their brothers.  Scar is thrown down into the ravine, to be trampled on by the hyenas.  Claudius is poisoned.

The characters of Nala and Ophelia are the only two that really differ.  Nala is adventurous and rather naughty.  She fights against Scar’s rule and doesn’t mind lying to find a little adventure with Simba.  Ophelia is very obedient and passive.  She does whatever her father instructs her to do.  She accepts whatever happens to her.  She even rejects the one she loves because her father instructed her to.

The characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern loosely relate to the characters of Timon and Pumbaa.  Although they aren’t a very similar comparison, they both prove to the protagonist that fun and happiness can be found.  They provide a relief from the main plot lines of the stories.  They both provide a relief from the responsibility that both Simba and Hamlet face.

William Shakespeare is one of the most influential writers of all time.  It is obvious that his writings have been utilized and respected throughout the ages.  Many of his stories are the basis for many stories today.  The Lion King is an obvious example of this.  The fact that Shakespeare’s stories have survived through so many generations proves that the writings of William Shakespeare aren’t going to disappear anytime soon.