The Lion King

            The story takes place in Africa and begins with a huge gathering of animals to celebrate the birth of King Mufassa’s son Simba.

            Simba is the hero. He fulfills the necessary task of restoring harmony to the community. Characteristics: young person from the provinces (leaves the community in his youth and is raised by Timon and Pumbaa and later returns home to save the community), a pupil (receives leasons from Zazu) and a son. He is also special, representing a nation (he is future king of the Pride Lands). He is young, naive and inexperienced. He loses his parent at a young age. Scar is the devil figure. His black mane represents evil and his green eyes represent envy. The situation archetype is the battle between good and evil and death and rebirth as the cycle of life is a major theme within the movie.

           Mufassa’s evil brother Scar is displeased with Simba’s birth because he wants to be king. Simba became another obstacle in Scar way to the throne.

            Mufassa and Zazue act as Simba’s mentor. Stars represent guidance.

            As Simba grows up Mufassa prepares Simba for when he would become king. Mufassa tells Simba that the stars are Kings of the past and are there to guide him. The Pride Lands were safe but not the Outlands who belonged to the dangerous hyenas and are off limits to everyone. Zazu is a bird that is assigned to give lessons to Simba.

            The hyenas are the monsters that Simba (the hero) meets. They go to the elephant graveyard. The skeletons represent mortality; it is a graveyard and is a very dangerous place.

            Simba disobeys his father and enters the Outlands with his best friend Nala. Simba’s goal was to prove his bravery. Three hyenas chase Simba and Nala, they would have gotten killed if it wasn’t for Mufassa who came to their rescue

            Simba is a transcendent hero. His father’s death is the tragedy in his life and it is extremely hard on Simba because his uncle Scar fools Simba into believing that it was his own fault.   His father’s death could also be considered an unhealable wound, an emotional wound he never completely recovers from. Mufassa is the scapegoat because he sacrifices himself in order to save his son.

            Scar had plotted with hyenas to kill Simba and Mufassa. Scar traps Simba in a gorge and starts a stampede of water buffalo into it. Mufassa manages to rescue Simba but failed to get out gorge and was killed. Scar convinces Simba that his father death was his fault.

            Simba goes on a quest for his identity. -must go on a journey, learn a lesson, change and return home. He crosses a bridge that represents change, he becomes more mature. He’s new friends are his loyal retainers. They are like the hero’s sidekick and protect the hero. He is raised by strangers in a rural setting. This is where Simba recovers emotionally from his father’s death.

            After his father’s death Simba flees the Pride Lands distraught, narrowly escaping the hyenas and intending never to return. Timon a meerkat and Pumbaa and warthog find Simda collapsed in the wastelands. Together they nursed Simba back to health. The three become friends and stay together. Timon and Pumbaa teach Simba the motto “Hakuna Matata” meaning no worries. For many years Simba lives a care free life with his new friend, not worrying about the problems back home, and becomes an adult.

            One day he encounters Nala who is thrilled to see Simba and exclaims how everythone thought he was dead. Nala informs him that she left the Pride Lands looking for help because Scar was causing everyone to starve and begs Simba to go back and be king. Simba, still believing that he father’s death was his fault, was too ashamed and distressed to return.

            Rafiki a wise baboon tracks down Simba and conjuring Mufassa’s ghost. Mufassa ghost persuades Simba by telling him that he has “forgotten who [he is]” and he needs to remember that he is “the one true king”.

            Simba’s new journey is to rid the land of danger. It is also his return and reintegration with society, restoring order to the land.

            Simba races back to the Pride Land and confronts Scar and insists to take over his place as the rightful king. Scar refuses and they battle on Pride Rock. Simba falls but managed to hang on to the end of the rock.

            And another archetypal journey is added: Simba’s quest for vengeance. Scar is the outcast because he is banished from the Pride Lands for his crime.

            As Scar’s about to throw Simba to his death he whispers to Simba that he “killed Mufassa”.  This greatly angers Simba, then he pull himself back on to the rock and pin down Scar. He forces Scar to admit to his murder and then bands Scar from returning to the Pride Land.

            I noticed some archetypal symbolism: The rain and fire represent rebirth and starting over.

            During this there was a lighting storm that sets everything on fire but at the end rain puts it out. New plants are able to grow. With Simba as king the Pride Land is restored. The cycle of life continues with the movie ending with Simba and Nala newborn cub being.