Ophelia And Nala And Walt Disney's The Lion King

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s 2009 adaptation of Hamlet shows resembance to Disney’s 1994 production of the Lion King. Each film revolves around a male protagonist, who must cope with the death of his father, murdered by his uncle. Both characters are a prince, and threats to the throne which makes them targets for murder. They each experience emotional trauma in order to overthrow the corrupt king. Gregory Duncan had an unusual vision for his modern rendition of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, just as Roger Allen had for his African themed one. One parallel event which stands prominent is Hamlet’s second encounter with his father’s spirit compared to Simba’s with his. Each director effectively used characterization, as well as manipulated their script to fulfill their interpretation of this scene from the classic story. Thus, proving that each film reflects the positive and negative connections within a family in a monarchy's society.

After the process of making their way back home, both princes end up with fighting with their uncles. In “The Lion King”, Simba fights with Scar and Scar gets killed by the hyenas. Prince Hamlet in Hamlet kills king Claudius with a poisonous knife. Both “The Lion King” and “Hamlet” allows the main character to overcome a moral struggle. In “The Lion King”, Simba must act and be the king of his palace for sake of the animals of the kingdom and his father instead of running from what happened in the past. In “Hamlet”, prince Hamlet must decide to kill his uncle and take the risk of getting himself killed, or to keep the secret of King Claudius killing King Hamlet and live with it for the rest of his life.

Many literary works can be compared due to vast amounts of similarities between theme and characters; Hamlet and the Lion King are two literary works in which character and theme are surprisingly similar throughout each work. The Lion King is thought to be just an animated children’s film, however, it is in fact a modern translation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The main characters in the Lion King are definite parallels to those in Hamlet. Along with the main characters and plot details, the stories were similar in the representation of the secondary characters. "Here's my little secret, I killed Mufasa.” The theme in Hamlet can be compared to the Walt Disney movie The Lion King. Hamlet and Simba are betrayed by their uncles whom murder their

There is a lot of similarities between the Lion King and Hamlet. One of the biggest similarities is the characters, their traits, and their aspiration. In the Lion King Simba’s uncle Scar killed Simba’s dad and in the play Hamlet, Claudius killed Hamlet’s father. Simba and Hamlet are super alike. They both are loving, caring, empowered, fighters and they both want to kill their uncles because of what they did to their dads. Ophelia and Nala are both loving, caring and care about Simba/Hamlet. Ophelia and Nala are both the love interest of the main character. Scar and Claudius both want control of the kingdom. Simba and Hamlet both disappear from their families for a little. Both of the families in the Lion King and Hamlet are royal families. There is still a lot more similarities, but they mostly all have to do with character traits and what they do.

In the beginning of the play, Ophelia was like any other obedient young woman during the time. In Understanding Hamlet, Richard Corum shows that Ophelia is obedient. He writes, "Though Hamlet has been courting her, Ophelia willingly obeys her father when he tells her to discourage the prince's advances" (Corum 26). Ophelia obeys her father's demands because it was expected during that time of women to comply with men's wishes. In Hamlet, Ophelia disregards her own feelings towards Hamlet. Ophelia does as she is told:

When comparing the characters in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet to Disney’s The Lion King, they are similar. Hamlet is a play about a boy who lost his father and had to get revenge on his uncle, the new King and the killer of his father. The Lion King is a movie about a young lion who loses his father and then struggles with his uncle and finding his place in the circle of life. When specifically looking at Scar and Claudius they are similar because they are cruel, selfish, and two-faced.

Many parents can only wish to have a child like Ophelia. A child that obeys their every command without back talking. Ophelia is the obedient daughter of Polonius. In Act l Polonius says, “I would not in plain terms, from this time forth/Have you slander any moment leisure/As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet” (I,iii). In this quote Polonius orders Ophelia to stop seeing Hamlet. Then without hesitation Ophelia says, “I shall obey my lord” (I,iii). Ophelia does what she is told

The instinct for justice to be served and the idea of revenge to be sought has existed upon us to be a natural part of human nature for many years. Hamlet by William Shakespeare and Disney’s 1994 film “The Lion King” directed by Roger Allers share many parallels between the relationship of brothers, resulting for the seek of revenge and restored order to compare. Green with envy, Scar and Claudius result to murder to achieve victory in gaining power over the thrown. The comparison between Claudius and Cain are evident to portray revenge upon their brothers and later to be exiled With both king deaths, Mufasa and King Hamlet bring meaning and actions to lend hand in the motive to their sons to restore what is right.

 In similar fashion does Ophelia manifest great familial affection, agreeing to comply with the advice of her brother Laertes: “I shall the effect of this good lesson keep / As watchman to my heart.”  When her father, Polonius, makes inquiry regarding the “private time” which Hamlet has been giving to Ophelia, she replies unreservedly, “He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders / Of his affection to me,” and elaborates

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet explores and condones the same variety of themes in Disney’s The Lion King. Through a number of events, both the antagonists want to take revenge upon their evil uncles. The reader and audience learn the importance of finding happiness when Simba meets Timon and Pumba, but Hamlet is neglected leaving him to spiral into dark thoughts. Another theme explored by both texts is power and how easy it is to lose what’s all around you as well as the even bigger struggle it is to gain it all back. Both texts have a variety of differences, yet they are very similar which makes them unique. Especially The Lion King, being aimed at a younger audience, it is evident to see how Disney has purposely left out harsh topics, such as suicide, to cater for the indented audience.

The theme of greed and jealousy are explored through stories of Disney's 'The Lion King' and Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'. Both texts show us that greed and jealousy can override someones personality and that guilt will always get the best of you. However, Disney's version of 'The Lion King' doesn't have such a tragic ending because the lion's kingdom is restored at the end of the film whereas in Hamlet, Denmark is ruled by Norwegian prince at the end.

As innocent and young the Disney movie “The Lion King” may seem, it is, indeed, loosely based off of the renowned Shakespeare play “Hamlet”. It would seem strange to the typical audiences of each, but when looked at closer, it is seen that they are actually related underneath the youthful, animated surface of The Lion King.

Ophelia plays a role in the court; to keep her “chaste treasure” (1.3.32) and to be married according to her father's wishes. Ophelia must not give her “thoughts no tongue” (1.3.59) about marriage as her father controls who and when she marries. Ophelia is powerless to act against her father’s decisions regarding Hamlet who walks “with a larger tether” (1.3.125) and is a prince. The marriage that Ophelia dreams of is unlikely, due to her status as a commoner. Polonius “charge[s] (Ophelia)” (1.3.134) to never talk with Hamlet again. Ophelia is also utilized by Polonius to carry out his devious plans. Ophelia is positioned in the garden “by accident” (3.1.30) to encounter Hamlet. Polonius knows of Hamlet`s disdain and does not take this into consideration before placing Ophelia in the Garden. Polonius makes no effort to ask if Ophelia is in agreement with his plan. Ophelia is manipulated yet again, by Polonius’s actions and is at the receiving end of the harsh words; “Get thee to a nunnery” (3.1.121) from Hamlet. Ophelia`s future lies in the hands of Polonius and Hamlet. Ophelia is thus seen as a one-dimension character who has no free will.

Shakespeare's Hamlet portrays the harrowing love story of Hamlet and Ophelia. Ophelia, daughter to Polonius and sister of Laertes, is constantly controlled by the men in her life and the medieval precept that the father's word is unquestionable governs Ophelia. Submissive and compliant, Ophelia obeys nearly everything her father tells her to do. This follows her in through her relationship with Hamlet, as she stays with him despite his abusive nature. Ophelia’s submissive nature is a product of the conservative time and the patriarchy. She had no option but to follow the every demand of Hamlet and her family because she was not permitted to have a voice of her own. Because of the male dominated world that she lives in, Ophelia can not govern her sexual or romantic relationship. The authority the many men in her life have over her cause Ophelia’s downfall.

To continue, Ophelia is the princess stereotype of this play; she has no power, is controlled by men, and listens to as well as obeying what she is told. For example, she is constantly yielding to the men in her life; “I shall obey, my lord.” (Act I, scene III, 136) In this scene it is shown how her father and brother succeed in controlling her love life. Additionally, it shows the society and values of the time period. She is truly a victim of circumstance, as she lives in a time when women are prevented from possessing the power. This fact alone paints the picture of a pathetic character to which the audience is sympathetic. Throughout the play, Ophelia’s situation goes from bad to worse. Despite her compliance and overall good behaviour, she is often the one who is forced to suffer. Such as, the scene of Hamlet where she obeys her father’s wishes and spies on Hamlet; “Get thee to a nunnery. Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?” (Act III, scene i, 123-124) Furthermore, Ophelia does exactly as she is instructed yet becomes the object of Hamlet’s rage once he figures out she is working with her father and Claudius. Thus, her nemeses are the society and her fate which is spawned from that society. Ophelia may not be the most evident example of a tragic hero in Hamlet, but one cannot overlook the tragedy that is