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It has been said by many intelligent and informed people that Disney's The Lion King is a children's version of Shakespeare's Hamlet. There are certainly many parallels between the two stories, and even in the actual dialogue. Both are the story of a young man who is torn apart by the early demise of his father. An uncle takes over the thrown that should rightly belong to the young prince, and both of the tragic heroes overcome their own flaws and uncertainties to take back their thrones for the benefit of their countries. The similarities between the storylines and the ways they are portrayed, especially on screen, is incredible. The three biggest parallels of the stories are the presence of death images and symbolism, the actions of the secondary characters, and the development of the tragic hero. There are many differences between the stories involving characters, and detailed plot points, but the main storylines are essentially the same. In the very opening scene of The Lion King Mufasa, the king of the Pridelands confronts his brother Scar. Scar has just missed the presentation of Simba, Mufasa's son who is to be the next king. Scar turns as if to leave and Mufasa stops him by saying "Don't turn your back on me Scar." This is a warning. Scar shoots back "No, perhaps you shouldn't turn your back on me!" This is veiled threat on the king's life. Because the king is never introduced in Hamlet, the audience is left to wonder whether the king had any notice that his brother wanted him dead. There is a parallel to this scene found in Hamlet. Shortly after Hamlet visits his mother and kills Polonius, there is a meeting between him and Claudius. When Hamlet is told he is being sent to England, he affirms that this is a good idea, and the king replies "So is it, if thou knew'st our purposes."(IV, iv, 47) The king is letting it be known that he has it in for Hamlet. It can therefore be accepted that he probably let it be known to Hamlet Sr.
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