Okay, so everyone already knows that Hamlet inspired Lion King a great deal, however I don’t think that the staff of Disney Studios actually had this message in mind when creating the film? Disney is a child-friendly corporation, and i truly doubt that the animators were trying to impose racism or ideals of white supremacy onto its viewers. Not to mention, many of the lions were supposed to be African anyway- it wasn’t just the Hyenas who were “coded as people of color”-because i’m pretty sure that Simba, Mufasa and Sarabi aren’t traditionally european names. QUEERS AND PEOPLE OF COLOR: RUINING YOUR PRIDE LANDS SINCE 1994. This depiction culminates when the brief time in which Scar is king and the hyenas inhabit Pride Rock literally destroys the entire ecosystem. Scar and the hyenas’ desire to change their place in the order of things- without birthright or proper consideration for that circle of life shit- is what ultimately propels their assignment as the film’s antagonists. The animals the film has decided are unambiguously evil- the animals that are recognizably coded as people of color- are portrayed as stupid, cowardly brutes unworthy of the respect or standards of living afforded to white people the lions.

The Lion King emphasizes, again and again, that there is a natural order that must not be upset under any circumstances. It’s like nobody told them they don’t deserve to exist. How dare those people of color hyenas endeavor to survive! The sheer audacity. Any attempt they make to better their situation- hunting the lion cubs that have trespassed onto their land, supporting Scar in exchange for food- is thoroughly demonized by the film. The hyenas have been forced to live in a proverbial wasteland without access to essential resources such as food, shelter, etc. They are loyal to Scar not out of some inherent malevolence, but because he provides them with opportunities to survive. The hyenas are in favor of overthrowing the current monarchy in the hopes that their situation might improve- they are at first delighted by the prospect of having “no king”, and only support Scar’s regime because he promises they will “never go hungry again”. HOW VERY ODD- I have the distinct feeling that I have seen this dynamic before.

In the Pride Lands they are a community constantly maligned and oppressed, not because of any wrongdoing, but to maintain a system in which those in power are able to remain so. The film represents hyenas (coincidentally coded as people of color!) as “slobbering, mangy, stupid poachers”- despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

This monarchy is extolled as being the natural order of world. A select few devote themselves entirely to serving the royal family- often at great cost- in return for a handful of privileges. The animals of the savanna willingly subjugate themselves to a government that might, if the need or want arises, brutally kill and eat them. You thought it was just similar to Hamlet? IT’S ACTUALLY A GIANT AND RATHER ACCURATE ALLEGORY FOR CLASS AND RACE RELATIONS. If you want to ruin the entire plot of The Lion King for yourself while simultaneously having a gigantic AHA! moment, check out this.

Lion guard on tumblr