Hamlet discusses various issues with Horatio on the significance of life. In a discussion between the Ghost, Horatio, and him, he informs Horatio that life either in heaven or on the earth is full of beautiful things. In fact, the aspect of gender comes strongly in Hamlet’s conversation (Almereyda and Shakespeare 27).
This Shakespearean work relates with the Disney animated movie “The Lion King”. The lions’ empire is based in the pride rock and the leader is King Mufasa. The king intends to leave the kingship to his son Simba after his death. Therefore, he informs him about the necessities of being a king. Both Hamlet and The Lion King explore the theme of gender in which the female are disregarded by the social set up and gender roles.
In Hamlet, men are considered as the pillars of society while women are considered to be lesser beings. They are regarded as frail and unable to protect the society. “Frailty, they name is a woman” (Shakespeare 26). Furthermore, Hamlets’ view towards women is sexist. In fact, he accuses his mother of being unfaithful to his father. The readers are made to feel bad about women, especially Ophelia. Hamlet’s actions portrayed the general view of this society towards women.
The Lion King on the other hand presents African society full of male chauvinism. The movie is full of gender stereotypes as the lioness cannot survive without the lions. The gender roles are also explored. For instance, the men were to inherit the leadership positions and protect the other pride from external invasion. When Mufasa died and his son ran a way, the lioness mother could not take over the throne; instead, a lion from another pride came and took over the throne (Roth 20). Furthermore, the lionesses were made as caretakers while the lions made important political decision.
In conclusion, these two pieces of literature present gender stereotypes. Women are viewed as lesser genders. They are disregarded on political and leadership matters and they are made to follow orders created by men.
- Almereyda, Michael, and William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Faber & Faber, 2000:22-30
- Roth, Matt. “The Lion King: A Short History of Disney Fascism.” Jump Cut 40 (1996): 15-20.
- Shakespeare, William. Tragedy of Hamlet, the. Boston: Ginn & Company, 1909: 26
