Critical Essay on Hamlet and Lion King

Introduction

Lion King is one of the children and adult movies that has many similarities with the play Hamlet by Shakespeare. The common aspects between the two subjects revolve around setting, the plot, and themes. The relationship between Simba, Hamlet and other characters in their stories is also similar in most instances. For example, their relationship with their uncles is a struggle throughout the films, and either of them plots an act of revenge for their uncles who eventually die under different circumstances thereby providing satisfaction to Hamlet and Simba, respectively. Internal struggle is also a clear theme in both subjects, and it helps in furthering the plot of the story. The essay below, therefore, is a comparison of Hamlet and Lion King. They have a connection through their characters and the themes they are advancing.

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Revenge

In both stories, the death of the kings is facilitated by people who were close to their families. On the one hand, the death of the King is facilitated by Hamlet's uncle while Scar kills Mufasa to ensure that his nephew does not ascend the throne. The demise of their father's scare Hamlet and Simba especially when their rights to become kings are taken from them by their uncles with the assistance of their close family members. The films display fear in both characters as they are forced to flee despite their urge to avenge the deaths of their fathers. On the one hand, Scar convinces Simba to go into exile while Claudius talks Hamlet into fleeing to England thus putting his life in danger. According to Kayla and Wang, the producers of the film explaining the story of Simba, the motive for revenge is to avenge the death of Mufasa and his wife. Similarly, Mark, Castelo and Josh, the producers of Hamlet's film, show revenge as the only way Hamlet could have satisfied his father's ghost. While Mark and his colleagues portray the scene where Claudius is killed comically, Kayla and Wang bring out the actual picture of what takes place in the movie. Therefore, revenge is a theme that guides the plots of these stories. However, the films portray the killings in different ways since one is comical while the other uses the actual scenes.

Exile

Exile is also a theme in the films. According to the short film creates by Castelo and Mark, Hamlet goes into exile after he is banished by Claudius who does not want to raise suspicion about the death of his brother. His banishment takes place in public, and the plot is to ensure that the King of England kills him. In the film, his uncle engages in soliloquy where he expresses his thoughts aloud without considering the people who are surrounding him. According to the film directed by Kayla and Wang, Simba goes into exile due to the emotional trauma caused by the death of Mufasa. Just as in the actual play, he seems disillusioned because he is manipulated into thinking that he has disappointed his father. Kayla and Wang do not show a lot of details during the exile of Simba. They show a single scene that he hears the words "run" and flees. Thus, exile is also a theme that is in both films. However, Hamlet's exile is delivered more dramatically when compared to Simba's which is inspired by one word.

To Be or Not to Be

The wish to die drives this theme in both films. At one point, Hamlet contemplates suicide but avoids it due to the fear of going to hell. Simba, on the other hand, wishes to die after examining the brevity of his life. The character of both characters is put to the test during the worst times. To bring out the theme of "to be or not to be" film by Kayla shows Hamlet soliloquizing on the worth of his life after he dies. However, the light effects throughout the film are not altered. In Lion King, as Simba reflects on the value of his life, Castelo and his co-producers ensure that the light is shining upon him. This light effect is symbolic of the hope for a better future despite all that he has been through. However, there is darkness when Simba remembers that his mother is dead. This darkness represents the bad things that have happened in his life. Additionally, the sound effects at this point have a tension that brings the anticipation for resolve. Hence, contemplating suicide is a common trait in Simba and Hamlet.

Conclusion

On account of the above illustrations, it suffices to conclude that Hamlet and Simba have some common characteristics. Revenge, the urge to commit suicide and going to exile are the factors that make them similar. However, each of them approaches it differently with the end goal being to avenge the death of their fathers. The short films depict the three literary themes. Despite having some similarities in context, some of the scenes in the films by Kayla and Castelo differ because of sound effects, setting, lighting, and delivery of lines. Thus, the character of Hamlet and Simba connect.