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The Lion KingThe Lion King

Modeled on Modeled on Hamlet.Hamlet.

–How would knowing one story help How would knowing one story help with understanding the other?with understanding the other?

Christopher Vogler served as a story Christopher Vogler served as a story consultant on this film.consultant on this film.

Where is the Where is the Star Wars Star Wars scene?scene?

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Questions to AskQuestions to Ask

What patterns do you see? What other What patterns do you see? What other stories does it mimic? stories does it mimic?

What archetypal roles does each What archetypal roles does each character fulfill?character fulfill?

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Questions to AskQuestions to Ask

What is the crisis that upsets the Ordinary What is the crisis that upsets the Ordinary World, the balanced world?World, the balanced world?

What is the central idea that, like a sword, What is the central idea that, like a sword, empowers Simba?empowers Simba?

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The Lion KingThe Lion KingA New HopeA New Hope

What other famous episode does this What other famous episode does this remind you of?remind you of?

The answer is in the title of this slide!The answer is in the title of this slide!

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Opening SongOpening Song

How might the Heroes Journey parallel the How might the Heroes Journey parallel the Circle of Life?Circle of Life?

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Ordinary WorldOrdinary World

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

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Call to AdventureCall to Adventure

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

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Threshold GuardianThreshold Guardian

What role does Zazu play?What role does Zazu play?

What often follows when we fail to heed What often follows when we fail to heed advice?advice?

What archetypal mask does Simba wear What archetypal mask does Simba wear to evade Zazu’s supervision?to evade Zazu’s supervision?

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Simba as TricksterSimba as Trickster

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

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Crossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First Threshold

Entering the elephant Graveyard Entering the elephant Graveyard – What happens when we play close to What happens when we play close to

the line?the line?Do we have two forces action as Do we have two forces action as threshold guardians? threshold guardians?

Approach to the Approach to the Inmost CaveInmost Cave

–Simba finds he is but a cub, not Simba finds he is but a cub, not yet his fatheryet his father

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OrdealOrdeal

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

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

OrdealOrdealThe Mentor and ShadowThe Mentor and Shadow

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OrdealOrdealDefinition of a ShadowDefinition of a Shadow

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

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Shining in justiceShining in justice

Shining injusticeShining injustice

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RewardReward

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

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RewardReward

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

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SeparationSeparationnot Returnnot Return

Simba’s departure signals his new role as Simba’s departure signals his new role as a lost soul, a failed hero. But hope springs a lost soul, a failed hero. But hope springs eternal.eternal.

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FlightFlight

Simba’s flight signals the end of the mini-Simba’s flight signals the end of the mini-journey of Simba the heir.journey of Simba the heir.

But a new journey begins. But what kind is But a new journey begins. But what kind is it?it?

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Lost SoulLost SoulEpisode 2: A New JourneyEpisode 2: A New Journey

““Please don’t throw me in that briar patch.” Please don’t throw me in that briar patch.”

Does the briar patch serve as a protective Does the briar patch serve as a protective barrier?barrier?

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Lost SoulLost Soul

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

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Lost SoulLost Soul

buzzard-baitbuzzard-bait

When our spirit reaches its lowest point, When our spirit reaches its lowest point, the time is right to resurrect a hero.the time is right to resurrect a hero.

But it will take time.But it will take time.

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Special WorldSpecial World

Slimy yet satisfyingSlimy yet satisfying

What is the function of this Special World What is the function of this Special World in which Simba lives?in which Simba lives?

Is it merely a diversion?Is it merely a diversion?

Hakuna Matata?Hakuna Matata?

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Return of the KingReturn of the KingEpisode 3Episode 3

““She’s gonna eat me!”She’s gonna eat me!”

Using the hero’s journey, why are Timon Using the hero’s journey, why are Timon and Pumba upset? and Pumba upset?

Meeting of the Goddess?Meeting of the Goddess?

Nala as Stormcrow and H?Nala as Stormcrow and H?

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Return of the KingReturn of the KingRefusal of the CallRefusal of the Call

What is it that prevents Simba from What is it that prevents Simba from answering the Call to Adventure?answering the Call to Adventure?

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Meeting the MentorMeeting the Mentor

Identity: Who are you?Identity: Who are you?

““Old [Yoda] Rafiki, he show you the way!”Old [Yoda] Rafiki, he show you the way!”

Look harder.” “Remember who you are?”Look harder.” “Remember who you are?”

““Doesn’t matter; It’s in the past.”Doesn’t matter; It’s in the past.”

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Crossing the First ThresholdCrossing the First Threshold

Crossing the same desert!Crossing the same desert!

What is it that Simba remembers?What is it that Simba remembers?

Can ideas be transformational?Can ideas be transformational?

Does how we think affect who we are?Does how we think affect who we are?

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AlliesAllies

Who are Simba’s allies?Who are Simba’s allies?

Timon and Pumba—what ever happened Timon and Pumba—what ever happened to Hakuna Matata?to Hakuna Matata?

Timon and Pumba—what mask do they Timon and Pumba—what mask do they wear? What kind of hero have they wear? What kind of hero have they become?become?

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TestsTests

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

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SymbolismSymbolism

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

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TestsTests

What revelation transforms Simba’s What revelation transforms Simba’s knowledge?knowledge?– Why can’t a villain keep a secret?Why can’t a villain keep a secret?

Why didn’t Simba kill Scar?Why didn’t Simba kill Scar?

Why was Scar unwilling to accept exile?Why was Scar unwilling to accept exile?

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TestsTests

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

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SymbolismSymbolism

What is the significance of all this rain?What is the significance of all this rain?

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Return of the KingReturn of the KingThe ElixirThe Elixir

Has Simba achieved his Higher Self?Has Simba achieved his Higher Self?

How quickly does nature restore the earth How quickly does nature restore the earth once balance is achieved?once balance is achieved?

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Return of the KingReturn of the King

What is the significance of this new What is the significance of this new cub?cub?

How is the Circle of Life and the Hero’s How is the Circle of Life and the Hero’s Journey related?Journey related?

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