The Lion King
For those who haven't seen or heard of The Lion King, the film was made in 1994 by Walt Disney Pictures and is considered one of the best animated films of all time. It was directed by Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers and featured the voice talents of Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, and James Earl Jones. The film won two Oscars for best original song and best music. The film follows Simba through many years of his life and the conflict he faces when he is tricked into thinking he killed his father, which causes him to abandon his responsibility as king of Pride Rock.
Media and Analysis Activity
Students will watch the three clips provided and answer the questions as they appear. It is important to pay attention to when the questions should be answered. Some need to be answered while viewing and some should be answered after viewing. You will need internet access in order to play the clips embedded into the page.
The first clip shows the antagonist of the film, Scar, as he reveals his evil plan to kill his brother to the audience. Play the scene from 0:00 to 1:20
Questions to consider while watching:
1. Who is the target audience for this film?
The target audience for this film is most likely young children in the toddler to 12 year old range, as well as parents who will be taking the kids to see the film or watching it with them.
2. What character from Hamlet might Scar parallel and what evidence is there to support it?
Scar represents Claudius in Hamlet and there is a ton of evidence to support it. Scar is a prideful, vicious wannabe king who creates a plot to kill his brother in order to gain the throne, just like Claudius who kills his brother Hamlet and becomes king.
The first clip shows the antagonist of the film, Scar, as he reveals his evil plan to kill his brother to the audience. Play the scene from 0:00 to 1:20
Questions to consider while watching:
1. Who is the target audience for this film?
The target audience for this film is most likely young children in the toddler to 12 year old range, as well as parents who will be taking the kids to see the film or watching it with them.
2. What character from Hamlet might Scar parallel and what evidence is there to support it?
Scar represents Claudius in Hamlet and there is a ton of evidence to support it. Scar is a prideful, vicious wannabe king who creates a plot to kill his brother in order to gain the throne, just like Claudius who kills his brother Hamlet and becomes king.
Post-Viewing Questions:
3. What does this scene reveal about the overall character of Scar?
He has a selfish, power hungry, and prideful personality and he will do whatever it takes to get what he wants, even if it means killing his own brother.
4. Does this scene gain anything that the Hamlet scene didn’t have by adding music?
The use of a musical number in The Lion King that is all about killing Mufasa is very effective because it makes Scar seem even more crazier than Claudius. Claudius simply reveals a plan and acts it out, while Scar sings about it and sound all jolly about it. The musical number is very dark and shows how evil Scar really is.
The next scene shows an adult Simba talking to his dead father, which is one of the most important scenes in the film. Watch the whole scene and answer the questions that follow.
Questions to consider while watching:
5. What is the significance of this encounter between Mufasa and Simba?
This scene is important because it tells Simba what he must do and the purpose he is meant to have in the world. He is told he is the one true king and that he needs to return and face his responsibilities.
6. What do you notice about the visual effects in this scene, especially those used on Mufasa?
Mufasa's image becomes more clear in the clouds as his words become more powerful. As the music gets louder and his words carry more meaning, his visual presence becomes more and more clear and apparent. It really helped in making the scene more powerful than it could have been.
3. What does this scene reveal about the overall character of Scar?
He has a selfish, power hungry, and prideful personality and he will do whatever it takes to get what he wants, even if it means killing his own brother.
4. Does this scene gain anything that the Hamlet scene didn’t have by adding music?
The use of a musical number in The Lion King that is all about killing Mufasa is very effective because it makes Scar seem even more crazier than Claudius. Claudius simply reveals a plan and acts it out, while Scar sings about it and sound all jolly about it. The musical number is very dark and shows how evil Scar really is.
The next scene shows an adult Simba talking to his dead father, which is one of the most important scenes in the film. Watch the whole scene and answer the questions that follow.
Questions to consider while watching:
5. What is the significance of this encounter between Mufasa and Simba?
This scene is important because it tells Simba what he must do and the purpose he is meant to have in the world. He is told he is the one true king and that he needs to return and face his responsibilities.
6. What do you notice about the visual effects in this scene, especially those used on Mufasa?
Mufasa's image becomes more clear in the clouds as his words become more powerful. As the music gets louder and his words carry more meaning, his visual presence becomes more and more clear and apparent. It really helped in making the scene more powerful than it could have been.
Post-Viewing Questions:
7. In what ways do this scene parallel the storyline from Hamlet?
Both stories have this type of scene. Both Simba and Hamlet talk to their dead fathers through their ghosts and they both cause the sons to understand their purpose and what they must do to make things right.
8. How did the writers of The Lion King make this scene differ from the similar scene in Hamlet?
In Hamlet, King Hamlet tells his son that Claudius killed him and that it is his job to avenge his death and take the throne. In The Lion King, Mufasa leaves this piece of information out and only tells Simba to take the throne.
9. Does this scene trigger more emotions than the scene in Hamlet did? Why do you feel this way?
I would say it does because of the musical and visual elements used. Since I have only read Hamlet and not seen it on stage, these things are not a factor in the emotion I felt while reading it. Also, Mufasa's talk with Simba seemed much more loving to me. Hamlet's talk with his son seemed kind of blunt and to the point, and there wasn't much love thrown in to it.
This final scene is one of the first scenes that includes the characters of Timon and Pumbaa, two characters who add something special to the film. Watch the entire clip and answer the questions that follow.
Questions to consider while watching the clip:
10. What is the overall mood of this scene and why do you feel this way?
This scene is very light hearted and fun due to the funny characters of Timon and Pumbaa, and also because of the music and bright colors used.
11. What might these characters be in the film for? What is their Purpose?
These characters were definitely included in the film for comic relief since some serious scened happened before these characters were introduced. Comic relief is definitely necessary in these instances. They are also in the film to introduce Simba to new things outside of his Prince lifestyle.
7. In what ways do this scene parallel the storyline from Hamlet?
Both stories have this type of scene. Both Simba and Hamlet talk to their dead fathers through their ghosts and they both cause the sons to understand their purpose and what they must do to make things right.
8. How did the writers of The Lion King make this scene differ from the similar scene in Hamlet?
In Hamlet, King Hamlet tells his son that Claudius killed him and that it is his job to avenge his death and take the throne. In The Lion King, Mufasa leaves this piece of information out and only tells Simba to take the throne.
9. Does this scene trigger more emotions than the scene in Hamlet did? Why do you feel this way?
I would say it does because of the musical and visual elements used. Since I have only read Hamlet and not seen it on stage, these things are not a factor in the emotion I felt while reading it. Also, Mufasa's talk with Simba seemed much more loving to me. Hamlet's talk with his son seemed kind of blunt and to the point, and there wasn't much love thrown in to it.
This final scene is one of the first scenes that includes the characters of Timon and Pumbaa, two characters who add something special to the film. Watch the entire clip and answer the questions that follow.
Questions to consider while watching the clip:
10. What is the overall mood of this scene and why do you feel this way?
This scene is very light hearted and fun due to the funny characters of Timon and Pumbaa, and also because of the music and bright colors used.
11. What might these characters be in the film for? What is their Purpose?
These characters were definitely included in the film for comic relief since some serious scened happened before these characters were introduced. Comic relief is definitely necessary in these instances. They are also in the film to introduce Simba to new things outside of his Prince lifestyle.
Post-Viewing Question:
12. Who might the characters of Timon and Pumbaa represent in Hamlet and why?
Timon and Pumbaa may represent the characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Timon and Pumbaa introduce Simba to a life outside of Pride Rock, while Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's characters show that Hamlet has a life outside of the palace. Both sets of characters are also a bit foolish and provide some comic relief in their stories.
A Few Finishing Questions:
13. After viewing these clips, what genre or genres would you classify The Lion King under and why?
I would classify it as a family animation film for obvious reasons. However, I would also classify it as an adaptation in a sense because it has so many parallels to Hamlet. The story isn't wholly original and therefore fits the adaptation genre. It could also be considered a drama due to the family tension and heavy story elements present throughout.
14. How does adapting the film from a Shakespeare play affect the audience?
By doing this, the film is open to a much wider and older audience. At first glance, the film is meant for young children. However, there are many Shakespeare fans out there who would probably love to see a film like this just to see how it parallels the original story. In simpler terms, the audience becomes much larger and broad.
15. How does the mood of these scenes differ from the mood of Hamlet?
Hamlet has a much darker and depressing mood than The Lion King does. The Lion King has a lot of vibrant colors and comic relief to get viewers through the sad and heavy scenes, while Hamlet is a straight up tragedy that doesn't have much of a happy mood at all.
12. Who might the characters of Timon and Pumbaa represent in Hamlet and why?
Timon and Pumbaa may represent the characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Timon and Pumbaa introduce Simba to a life outside of Pride Rock, while Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's characters show that Hamlet has a life outside of the palace. Both sets of characters are also a bit foolish and provide some comic relief in their stories.
A Few Finishing Questions:
13. After viewing these clips, what genre or genres would you classify The Lion King under and why?
I would classify it as a family animation film for obvious reasons. However, I would also classify it as an adaptation in a sense because it has so many parallels to Hamlet. The story isn't wholly original and therefore fits the adaptation genre. It could also be considered a drama due to the family tension and heavy story elements present throughout.
14. How does adapting the film from a Shakespeare play affect the audience?
By doing this, the film is open to a much wider and older audience. At first glance, the film is meant for young children. However, there are many Shakespeare fans out there who would probably love to see a film like this just to see how it parallels the original story. In simpler terms, the audience becomes much larger and broad.
15. How does the mood of these scenes differ from the mood of Hamlet?
Hamlet has a much darker and depressing mood than The Lion King does. The Lion King has a lot of vibrant colors and comic relief to get viewers through the sad and heavy scenes, while Hamlet is a straight up tragedy that doesn't have much of a happy mood at all.
