Most people think they know the story. A cub loses his dad, runs away to eat bugs with a warthog, and eventually comes home to fight his uncle. It’s classic. But if you look closer at the characters of Lion King, you realize the 1994 Disney masterpiece isn't just a kids' movie about talking cats. It’s a messy, Shakespearean drama about grief, political coups, and the heavy weight of expectations.
Honestly, the dynamics between these animals are more complex than most live-action sitcoms.
The King and the Usurper: Mufasa vs. Scar
Mufasa is the gold standard for father figures. Period. Voiced by the legendary James Earl Jones—who, fun fact, actually struggled with a stutter as a child before becoming the most iconic voice in cinema—Mufasa represents "The Law." He isn't just a dad; he’s the physical manifestation of the Circle of Life. When he tells Simba that "everything the light touches" is theirs, he’s laying out a massive burden of responsibility that most toddlers (or cubs) couldn't handle.
Then there's Scar.
💡 You might also like: Why Love Island Season 7 Episode 23 Still Feels Like a Fever Dream
Scar is basically Prince Hamlet’s Uncle Claudius with more fur and a better singing voice. He is the ultimate "second son." While Mufasa is all brawn and "regal sunshine," Scar is all brains and "shadowy sarcasm." He doesn't want to hunt; he wants to rule. His jealousy isn't just a plot point; it's a character study in how resentment can rot a family from the inside out. He uses the hyenas—Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed—as a literal "underclass" to do his dirty work, promising them they'll "never go hungry again." It’s a classic populist uprising used for a dictatorial takeover.
Simba’s Identity Crisis and the "Slacker" Years
Simba starts out as an entitled brat. Let's be real. He sings about how he "can't wait to be king" specifically because he thinks it means he can do whatever he wants.
The trauma of Mufasa’s death changes everything.
📖 Related: When Was Kai Cenat Born? What You Didn't Know About His Early Life
He spends his young adult life in a state of "Hakuna Matata," which sounds like a fun vacation but is actually a coping mechanism for severe PTSD and survivor's guilt. He’s hiding. He’s living a life of "no worries" because if he starts worrying, he has to face the fact that he thinks he killed his father.
The Nala Factor
Nala is often sidelined in discussions about the characters of Lion King, but she’s the one who actually gets things moving. She isn't just a love interest. She’s a survivor. While Simba was eating grubs in the jungle, Nala was watching her home turn into a wasteland under Scar’s mismanagement. She went out to find help, not a boyfriend. Her "pinned ya" wrestling move isn't just a gag—it’s a reminder that she’s a better hunter and arguably a stronger strategist than Simba is for most of the film.
The Support System: Philosophers and Bureaucrats
If the lions are the royalty, the other animals are the ones who actually keep the world spinning.
👉 See also: Anjelica Huston in The Addams Family: What You Didn't Know About Morticia
- Rafiki: He’s a mandrill (though often called a baboon), and he’s the "shaman" of the Pride Lands. He doesn't give straight answers because he wants Simba to find the truth himself. That scene where he whacks Simba on the head with a stick? That’s peak teaching. "The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it."
- Zazu: Every king needs a majordomo. Zazu is a red-billed hornbill who represents the "nanny" and the "intelligence officer." He’s uptight because he’s the only one actually keeping track of the borders and the "morning report."
- Timon and Pumbaa: They are the ultimate outsiders. A meerkat and a warthog who have been rejected by society (Pumbaa because of... well, his scent) and created their own counter-culture. They represent the temptation of checking out of society entirely.
Why the Circle of Life Still Hits Different
The real brilliance of these characters is how they handle failure. Scar fails because he can't actually lead—he just wanted the title. Simba almost fails because he’s too scared of his own shadow.
The Pride Lands only recover when the characters stop acting for themselves and start acting for the collective. It’s a lesson in stewardship. Mufasa says a king’s time rises and sets like the sun. It’s a temporary gig.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this world, the best next step is to watch the original 1994 film alongside a reading of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. You’ll start to see the parallels in every line of dialogue, from the ghostly father on the ramparts (or in the clouds) to the final confrontation where the rightful heir finally stops running. You can also explore the 2019 "live-action" remake to see how the character expressions change when they move from hand-drawn animation to hyper-realistic CGI, though many fans argue the original's expressive faces are irreplaceable.