Similarities Between Hamlet And The Lion King

Many believe that Disney’s The Lion King was based off of one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Hamlet. While there are many differences in these two pieces of work, there are also many similarities. Both of these stories are based around a prince finding out his uncle killed his father so he could be king. The murders are very different while the story itself is true. The Lion King is a story that takes place in a kingdom of lions in Africa. Simba is the prince of the Pridelands and his father, Mufasa, is the king. Simbas uncle Scar is very jealous of his brother Mufasa and wants to take over the kingdom. Scars plan is to kill off Simba and Mufasa by causing a stampede where they were waiting for something. Unfortunately for Scar, Mufasa
Hamlets father was killed by his Uncle Claudius due to jealousy of the kingdom. Claudius poisoned his brother while he was sleeping in the garden. Hamlet finds out his father was murdered by meeting is ghost in the yard of the kingdom. Hamlet decides to plan out his revenge by first acting like he has gone mad because of his father’s death. He breaks his loves heart in the process but doesn’t stop his revenge. He orders for a play to be presented to the royal court, including his uncle and his mother. This play is supposed to simulate his fathers death and he wants to see how the king reacts to the play. This is where he realizes that the ghost was telling the truth. Claudius then figures out that Hamlet has been suspicious and decides to send him to England to be killed. While speaking to his mother, Hamlet hears someone spying on them and kills his loves father, Polonius. This was the beginning of the tragedy. Hamlet has a moment to kill Claudius before he leaves for England but questions himself and his actions. He then leaves only to return after finding a letter of his execution and being “attacked” by pirates. Claudius and Polonius’s son, Laertes, have come up with a plan to kill Hamlet when he arrives. They are going to challenge him in a fencing battle with poison at the end of the sword. If this plan fails, they will have poisoned wine for Hamlet to drink.
Both Simba’s and Hamlets uncles were jealous of the king and decided to get rid of them to take over the reign. They both see the ghost of their fathers who help them learn the true story of their deaths. Many of the characters are similar in their personalities and actions. While many believe these stories are not connected, there are many examples that prove them to be similar. The Lion King and Hamlet both have the same set story for their main character. Simba and Hamlet both set out to avenge their father’s death. Hamlet may have died in the process of his revenge but him and Simba both receive victory on avenging their fathers. These stories are connected by their similarities and their