The Lion King Modeled on Hamlet How would

The Lion King Modeled on Hamlet. – How would knowing one story help with understanding the other? Christopher Vogler served as a story consultant on this film. Where is the Star Wars scene? 2

Questions to Ask What patterns do you see? What other stories does it mimic? What archetypal roles does each character fulfill? 3

Questions to Ask What is the crisis that upsets the Ordinary World, the balanced world? What is the central idea that, like a sword, empowers Simba? 4

The Lion King A New Hope What other famous episode does this remind you of? The answer is in the title of this slide! 5

Opening Song How might the Heroes Journey parallel the Circle of Life? 6

Ordinary World Who is Mufassa? Is he a good king, father? Simba—what archetype is he? Rafiki—what archetype is he? Zazu—what archetype is he? 7

Call to Adventure Could Scar’s talk with Simba be a Call to Adventure? If so, how does this change our understanding of the story? Is the archetypal wheel inverted now? Who becomes a Threshold Guardian? 8

Threshold Guardian What role does Zazu play? What often follows when we fail to heed advice? What archetypal mask does Simba wear to evade Zazu’s supervision? 9

Simba as Trickster What kind of king do you think this Simba might become? Is he tending towards the higher self or the shadow? What trait(s) push him in this direction? – Humility and reason OR – pride and naiveté 10

Crossing the First Threshold Entering the elephant Graveyard – What happens when we play close to the line? Do we have two forces action as threshold guardians? 11

Approach to the Inmost Cave – Simba finds he is but a cub, not yet his father

Ordeal To succeed, Simba must recognize his enemy. Does he make this step or fail? What is the price of narrow vision? Of naiveté? 13

Ordeal The Mentor and Shadow What makes Scar a villain? His ambition, his desire for personal glory, or his lack of concern for the greater community? How about all of these? 14

Ordeal Definition of a Shadow Does Scar have any interest in the hyenas? Are they seen as individuals or as objects to manipulate? Why is it that minions are always stupid? Bonzai, Shenzi, and Ed. 15

Shining in justice Shining injustice 16

Reward What is Simba’s Reward for failing to identify his enemy? 17

Reward Is Simba at fault for Muffasa’s death and the loss of the cosmic balance? What does Scar’s suggestion become for Simba? What if Simba had ignored him? 18

Separation not Return Simba’s departure signals his new role as a lost soul, a failed hero. But hope springs eternal. 19

Flight Simba’s flight signals the end of the minijourney of Simba the heir. But a new journey begins. But what kind is it? 20

Lost Soul Episode 2: A New Journey “Please don’t throw me in that briar patch. ” Does the briar patch serve as a protective barrier? 21

Lost Soul What is the importance of geography in providing a threshold for this new journey? How might geography symbolize Simba’s plight? 22

Lost Soul buzzard-bait When our spirit reaches its lowest point, the time is right to resurrect a hero. But it will take time. 23

Special World Slimy yet satisfying What is the function of this Special World in which Simba lives? Is it merely a diversion? Hakuna Matata? 24

Return of the King Episode 3 “She’s gonna eat me!” Using the hero’s journey, why are Timon and Pumba upset? Meeting of the Goddess? Nala as Stormcrow and H? 25

Return of the King Refusal of the Call What is it that prevents Simba from answering the Call to Adventure? 26

Meeting the Mentor Identity: Who are you? “Old [Yoda] Rafiki, he show you the way!” Look harder. ” “Remember who you are? ” “Doesn’t matter; It’s in the past. ” 27

Crossing the First Threshold Crossing the same desert! What is it that Simba remembers? Can ideas be transformational? Does how we think affect who we are? 28

Allies Who are Simba’s allies? Timon and Pumba—what ever happened to Hakuna Matata? Timon and Pumba—what mask do they wear? What kind of hero have they become? 29

Tests What is the ultimate test that Simba must face? These tests are always about identity: “Remember who you are. ” Scar truly demonstrates the power of words over brawn. 30

Symbolism What is the role of fire in this story? 31

Tests What revelation transforms Simba’s knowledge? – Why can’t a villain keep a secret? Why didn’t Simba kill Scar? Why was Scar unwilling to accept exile? 32

Tests How frequently do villains perish by their own devices? 33

Symbolism What is the significance of all this rain? 34

Return of the King The Elixir Has Simba achieved his Higher Self? How quickly does nature restore the earth once balance is achieved? 35

Return of the King What is the significance of this new cub? How is the Circle of Life and the Hero’s Journey related? 36

return 37