The Lion King

The Lion King has thematic life lessons scattered throughout it. More than any other Disney film, in my opinion, it is a commentary on how to live one's life. It does so in my opinion in five majors ways ranging from both inspiring ideas of how one should conduct oneself to warnings about the dangers of the world. The first theme I picked up on was that when one can realize who they truly are they can unlock their true potential by tapping into true motives and act on their core values. This is exemplified on Simba's trip to the jungle where he forgets who he is in his new laid back life.  Simba leaves his past and the responsibilities that once shackled him to a carefree existence. He lets his new life and the lack of trouble distract him from everything that made him who he is, and only when he remembers and accepts his past does he find personal power and the strength to return to the throne. The second life lesson is one that is stressed by two characters, in particular, Timon and Pumbaa, and that is Hakuna Matata. This is a Swahili phrase that translates to “there are no worries.” 

It is stressed that one should replace his or her worries with hope and happiness as there is no use in worrying. The third major theme in the film is the importance of showing respect to others no matter where they come from or one's relationship to them. It is emphasized that it doesn’t matter if someone might be superior to another in any sense of the word everybody has unique qualities that bring value to their surroundings. This is exemplified when Mufasa explains to Simba that even though they are on top of the food chain, every animal must be respected for their dignity and contribution, every creature adds its unique traits to the circle of life, and without them, it would fall out of balance. The film promotes the idea of valuing people not by where they come from or what they do, but from what they contribute to their surroundings. The final two themes in the film that I could identify are more warnings than life lessons. The first is meant to caution the viewer that there are people who arrive in one's life only to satisfy their desires and personal gain. The scare is the embodiment of this message. After Simba’s father, Mufasa, dies in the stampede Scar accuses Simba of his death and tricks him into running away to secure the throne. The final warning and essential message of the movie are that the past can be painful and that that pain does not always disappear. However, with this pain everyone is given a choice, to run away in fear and gain — nothing or to stand tall and learn from it. Running from one's past accomplishes nothing, what has already transpired is irrefutable; however,  when it is faced head-on with courage one can grow from past mistakes and tragedies.