Lion King and Hamlet

As we were watching the movie version of Hamlet in class on Thursday, I began to wonder how many movie adaptations of the play there were. The version we watched in class is one popular remake. This version is a complete word for word copy of the play and seemingly cuts no scenes.  While looking at other adaptations, I recalled something I'm sure we have all heard before that the Lion King is also very similar to Hamlet. This version is obviously on the opposite end of the spectrum as the one we viewed in class. This movie depicts the characters in the play as lions, who rule over the land. I'm assuming all of you have seen or are familiar with the Lion King, as it is one of the most famous animated movies of all time. To start, Hamlet's father is Mufasa in the Lion King. He is ruler of the land, but is betrayed by his brother in a question for power. Then Hamlet himself is depicted as Simba in the Lion King. He is the air to the throne, and when he learns of how his father really dies he seeks revenge. Ophelia is Nala in the movie. Simba falls in love with her. Queen Gertrude can be seen as Sarabi in the Lion King. In the Lion King, Sarabi, the former wife of Mufasa, does not remarry with Scar, but she remains the head lioness after the death of her husband. Lastly, Timon and Pumba, the free-going duo that aid Simba in his journey, serve as comic relief and are usually seen as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who we have not met yet in our readings. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are also featured in a play called Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Timon and Pumba are also the main characters of Lion King 1 1/2, which revolves around the upbringings of the two. Lion King is one of my favorites movies from childhood, so I am glad to finally read what inspired this great work of art.