Comparing Lion King and MacBeth, by Yvonne White

People have said the Lion King is adapted from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. However, I say it is more of Macbeth than Hamlet. Here is the comparison between The Lion King and Macbeth.

a)      In the Lion King, the hyenas represent the three witches in Macbeth who want Scar to become king because they believe he will make a good ruler.

b)      Just as Macbeth kills the King of Dutchland through the suggestion of his wife, Lady Macbeth, and his madness, Scar kills Mufasa because of his madness and because he wants to become king by any means necessary.

c)      In the Lion King, Simba runs away and refuses to return because of guilt. In Macbeth, King Dugan’s son runs away for fear he might get killed.

d)     In Macbeth, Macbeth dies a horrifying death by getting his head cut off by Macduff. In the Lion King, Scar also dies a terrible death by being eaten up by the hyenas for his betrayal toward them after being overthrown by Simba.