Lion King
Day One
What tone, theme and setting of the “natural order” of life do the
establishing shots create?
What is the obvious symbolism in Simba walking in his father’s footprints?
1. What responsibilities are involved in being a king? What would be the
good side of it and what would be the down side?
2. This film discusses –and sings about—“The Circle of Life.” What
does this concept mean and how do you see it in your daily life?
3. What does the song “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” reveal about
Simba’s character?
4. How does the director communicate the shift in tone when Simba and
Nala go to the graveyard? How do they create suspense for the audience
and show the fear of the two young lions?
5. Every two-year-old who watches this film immediately knows that Scar
is the bad guy. How does the director show this so quickly to the
audience?
Day two
Take notes on the mise-en-scene when Scar sings with the hyenas. Note
camera angles, lighting etc.
How is Simba framed in the stampede scene? What does that show us?
1. What did the directors do to make the scene of Mufasa’s death so
powerful for the audience?
2. What is Scar like as a leader? What has changed sine he has taken
over? How is the setting itself different and why?
3. Summarize the philosophy of Hakuna Matata. What are the positive
aspects of it for Simba and the negative aspects of it as a philosophy of
life?
Day Three
1. Nala’s insistence on Simba returning did not work. What finally led
Simba to realize that he had to go back?
2. What went wrong with Scar’s rule? Why was he not able to govern
effectively? Would it have been different if Scar had a son?
3. How do we know that everything is back to normal at the end? What
clues do we have?