The Hero's Journey in the Lion King - William Theilacker

The Lion King is a classic Disney film, however the concept of a hero's journey that Joseph Campbell first introduced can be seen in this children's story. In The Lion King the main character, Simba, is the heir to the throne at Pride Rock. Everything in his life is perfect but Simba wants an adventure. He is tempted to venture into the only place he is told he can't go, the elephant graveyards. His uncle, Scar, hints that he should go there, and this is where Simba's call to adventure is. Simba never really refuses the call to adventure and is accompanied by his friend Nala. They cross the first threshold when they enter the elephant graveyard, as they are venturing into the unknown. Simba is reprimanded by his father after almost being killed by hyenas in the graveyard. However his final separation from his known world is when his father, Mufasa, is killed by his uncle Scar. This is Simba's belly of the whale moment because he leaves his home, Pride Rock, after his father's death because he thinks it's his fault that Mufasa died. Simba's road of trials start right after Mufasa dies as he is chased out of Pride Rock by hyenas and could have died, then he is found near dead in the desert, and finally overcoming the struggle he has in thinking he killed his father. Meeting with the goddess is when Nala comes and finds Simba in the forest he's been living in ever since he left and they fall in love. Simba's atonement with the father moment is when he goes back to Pride Rock and confronts Scar who took over after Mufasa's death. This is the atonement with the father moment because Scar is the one who holds the ultimate power. The ultimate boon is when Simba overthrows Scar and take backs the throne. Simba refused to return to Pride Rock until Rafiki shows him that he must return. Simba crosses the return threshold when he is shown in the end with his son. He is the master of two worlds because he has managed to balance both the lives he led. Happily Ever After.