Characters Simba And Hamlet example essay topic

A son's tragedy, a brother's betrayal. A story of responsibility and revenge is that of William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet. The theme in the play Hamlet is one that is great in age and remains present even in today's entertainment. A modern story which shares this theme is Disney's The Lion King.

The characters Simba and Hamlet are the main characters in both stories and both share many similarities. Treachery from within the family was the cause of both character's losses, and the initial conflict of the entire story. Along with major characters, the stories also share similar secondary characters. The characters Rosencranz and Guildenstern can be compared to the Disney characters Timon and Pumbaa. The Lion King and Hamlet share a common theme and reflect one another. The Prince of Denmark, the Prince of the Pride Lands, Hamlet and Simba are the main characters of both stories and share similar situations and traits.

Both characters think highly of their fathers and share a close bond of love with them. 'With all my love I do commend me to you' (II I 184), proving that Hamlet not only loves his father but also respects and obeys his wishes. 'I was just trying to be brave like you. ' Simba says this to his father showing how much he looks up to him. Hamlet and Simba delay their action of revenge over their father's death. The loss of the fatherly figure leaves Hamlet extremely depressed, and Simba with feelings of guilt and without a teacher.

Each character runs from their responsibility, although they both know what must be done inside. It is remarkable that such similarities exist in the conflicts and actions of both characters. Hamlet and Simba are betrayed by their uncles whom murder their fathers in order to fulfill their own ambitions. Scar and Claudius were both the brother of the proclaimed King. They both lived in their older brother's shadow and were envious of their success. Claudius and Scar's envy led them to kill their brothers which allowed them to seize the throne.

'The serpent that did sting thy father's life / Now wears his crown. (I V 38, 39) ' 'Here " say little secret, I killed Mufasa. ' To keep their newly claimed throne Scar and Claudius had to guarantee that there would be no interference from their nephews. Both Hamlet and Simba were led astray from their home by their uncle, therefore guaranteeing no interference. 'The associates tend, and every thing is bent / For England. ' (I V 45, 46) 'Run away!

Run away and never return!' In Hamlet and The Lion King the main characters were betrayed by their uncle by the murdering of their father and the seizure of the crown. With major characters in both works aside, the similarities between secondary characters in The Lion King and Hamlet are still quite alike. Both pairs of characters give relief from the main focus of the stories. Timon and Pumbaa provided a welcome distraction from Simba's responsibilities by introducing him to a carefree life of 'Haku na Ma tata. ' Rosencranz and Guildenstern showed that Hamlet does enjoy a life outside of the royal house by mingling with the two friends.

Rosencranz and Guildenstern were used by Claudius to spy upon Hamlet. Hamlet was aware of his friends betrayal and this was a constant reminder to Hamlet and the revenge that must be acted upon Claudius. Timon and Pumbaa were not under the employment of Scar, nevertheless the sidekick pair provide a similar function. At one point they attempt to obtain Simba's past from his memory. Once Simba gives in, his memories begin to come back to him and he remembers his responsibility.

He is then convinced to return back to the Pride Lands and face his problems by the arrival of his old friend Nala. Although Timon and Pumbaa had no intention of doing so, they performed the same act of reminding the main character of their responsibility to their fathers and their kingdoms that Rosencranz and Guildenstern did. The theme in Hamlet can be compared to the Walt Disney movie The Lion King. The influences that Hamlet had on The Lion King were constant through many things.

Thema in characters, Hamlet and Simba are comparable by situations and their actions. The initial conflict was constant within the two stories in that it was caused by treachery from within. Along with the main characters and plot details, the stories were similar in the representation of the secondary characters. With Hamlet as the influential theme for the movie The Lion King it resulted in arguably one of the best animated films of all time. Classical influences should be more widely recognized by the entertainment industry for the use of an extraordinary theme.

'Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage' (V II 386).