He’s shaking. His teeth are chattering loud enough to wake the neighbors, and his tail is tucked so far between his legs it might as well be invisible. Most of us first met Courage the Cowardly Lion in L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, or perhaps more iconically, through Bert Lahr’s sweat-soaked costume in the 1939 MGM film. He’s the guy who thinks he’s a failure because he feels fear. But if you actually look at what he does—not what he says—you realize he's arguably the bravest member of Dorothy's crew.
Think about it.
The Scarecrow doesn’t have a brain, so he doesn’t really process danger the way a biological creature would. The Tin Woodman is literal metal; he lacks the physiological response to terror. But the Lion? He feels every bit of the adrenaline. He feels the urge to run. Yet, he stays. That’s not cowardice. That’s the literal definition of grit.
The Bert Lahr Legacy and the 90-Pound Suit
When we talk about Courage the Cowardly Lion, we have to talk about Bert Lahr. Honestly, the man suffered for his art in a way that would make modern method actors weep. The costume he wore in the 1939 film was made of real lion skins. Real. It weighed somewhere around 90 pounds.
Imagine trying to act under the blazing heat of Technicolor lights—which were notoriously hot, sometimes reaching over 100 degrees on set—while draped in nearly 100 pounds of dead animal. Lahr was constantly drenched in sweat. He couldn't even eat properly because the facial prosthetic, glued on with spirit gum, restricted his jaw. He was stuck on a liquid diet of soup and milkshakes through a straw just to keep the makeup intact.
The character's "cowardice" in the movie is played for laughs, mostly through Lahr’s Vaudeville-style delivery. "Put 'em up, put 'em up!" he shouts, squaring off against a girl, a dog, and a tin man. It’s funny because it’s a defense mechanism. We all have them. Some people get quiet when they’re scared; the Lion gets loud. He blusters to hide the fact that his heart is hammering against his ribs.
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Behind the Mane: Baum’s Original Vision
In the original book, L. Frank Baum paints a slightly more somber picture. The Lion admits to Dorothy that he's a coward because he roars to scare others away before they can find out how frightened he is. It's a classic case of imposter syndrome. He’s the King of the Forest, but he feels like a fraud.
"Whenever I roar, I am terribly afraid that someone will find out I am a coward."
This line hits hard. It’s a very human sentiment for a literary beast. In the 1900s, masculinity was often tied to stoicism and a lack of fear. Baum flipped that. He created a character whose entire arc is based on the misconception that courage is the absence of fear.
The Psychology of the "Cowardly" Label
Psychologists often point to the Lion as a perfect example of how we mislabel our own emotions. In clinical terms, the Lion doesn't lack courage; he lacks self-esteem. He has a cognitive dissonance between his actions and his self-perception.
When the group encounters the Kalidahs—those terrifying monsters with bodies like bears and heads like tigers—the Lion is the one who steps up. He stays behind to guard the bridge. He's ready to fight even though he’s terrified.
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He thinks the Wizard has to give him courage in a bottle. In the book, the "courage" is a green liquid; in the movie, it's a medal. But the Wizard is a conman. He knows he can't give the Lion something he already possesses. The medal is just a placebo. It's a way for the Lion to give himself permission to believe in his own strength.
Why the Lion Resonates in 2026
We live in an era of high anxiety. Looking back at Courage the Cowardly Lion, he feels more modern than ever. He’s the patron saint of "doing it anyway."
- He’s anxious.
- He’s prone to crying.
- He’s deeply loyal.
- He’s honest about his failings.
There’s something incredibly refreshing about a character who doesn’t pretend to be "alpha." He’s a big cat with a big heart who just happens to have a very active nervous system. Honestly, who can't relate to that?
Iconic Moments That Define His Bravery
If you re-watch the 1939 classic, pay attention to the scene where they’re sneaking into the Wicked Witch’s castle. The Lion is shaking so hard his tail is twitching rhythmically. He’s terrified of heights, terrified of guards, and terrified of the Witch. But he climbs that mountain.
He doesn't do it because he's suddenly not scared. He does it because Dorothy is in trouble.
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His bravery is situational and selfless. That’s a much higher form of courage than the mindless bravado of a warrior who doesn't understand the stakes. The Lion understands the stakes perfectly—he knows he could be turned into a rug—and he goes in anyway.
Misconceptions About the Character
One big mistake people make is thinking the Lion is "cured" at the end. He’s not. He doesn't stop being a nervous person. The "courage" he receives is simply the acknowledgment of his peers and a symbol to remind him of what he's already done.
Another misconception is that he's the weakest of the trio. In terms of raw physical power, he's the strongest. He could easily take down most threats in Oz. His struggle is entirely internal. It's a battle of the mind.
Actionable Takeaways from the King of the Forest
If you're feeling like a bit of a "cowardly lion" yourself lately, there are actually some pretty solid life lessons to be pulled from this yellow-bellied hero.
- Audit your actions, not your feelings. Stop judging yourself for being afraid. Fear is a physiological response; it’s not a character flaw. Look at what you actually did today despite that fear.
- Recognize the "Placebo" effect. Sometimes you just need a "medal"—a small win, a ritual, or a word of encouragement—to trigger the confidence you already have inside.
- Loyalty is a catalyst. The Lion is most brave when he’s helping others. If you’re struggling to find courage for yourself, try finding it for someone else. It’s often easier to be brave for a friend than for your own sake.
- Accept the shaking. You don't have to be "cool" to be effective. You can be the guy with the chattering teeth who still gets the job done.
The story of the Courage the Cowardly Lion teaches us that the Wizard doesn't have the answers. No one is coming to hand you a bottle of liquid guts. But you probably don't need it anyway. You've been walking the yellow brick road this whole time, and you haven't turned back yet. That’s more than enough.