Ignorance Leads to Different Results

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Scar: He didn’t show you what’s beyond that rise… at the northern border?

Simba: Well, no. He said I can’t go there.

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Scar: An elephant graveyard is no place for a young prince.

Simba: Oh, an elephant what? Whoa.

Scar: Oh, dear, I’ve said too much. ( The Lion King, 00:12:12)

Obviously, Scar deliberately reveals how interesting the dangerous place is by pretending that he tells this secret accidentally. Another example of manipulation takes place.

Scar: But the king is dead. And if it weren’t for you, he’d still be alive. Oh, what will your mother think?

Simba: What am I going to do?

Scar: Run away, Simba. Run. Run away and never return.

Scar: Kill him. ( The Lion King, 00:38:18)

Scar comes to Simba and blames him. He even encourages Simba to run away from the pride rock forever. The last sentence shows that Scar plots to kill Simba as well.

Finally, the ignorance of knowledge to some extent stimulates people to seek the truth. In both texts, although none of these two characters know the method of taking responsibility for their fathers, they are stimulated to overcome difficulties instead of evading their responsibilities. In Hamlet, after talking with the spirit, "How strange or odd some'er I bear myself. That you, at such times seeing me, never shall, with arms encumbered thus, or this headshake, ... to note that you know aught of me-this do swear, so grace and mercy at your most need help you” (Hamlet, Act1. sc. 5, 190-202).

Clearly, this is one of Hamlet's plans. Hamlet can protect himself under his mad appearance in a reasonable manner. Everyone believes that the death of King Hamlet and the sudden marriage of Gertrude drives Hamlet crazy. Acting crazy successfully tricks people to abandon their suspicions. And during this time, he can find the truth secretly and look for a good opportunity to seek revenge his father’s death. In The Lion King, Simba is inspired by his father's spirit and Rafiki. He goes back to challenge Scar to take his place as king. Fortunately, with the help of Simba's friends, they successfully avoid numerous hyenas.

"Timon: So, what’s your plan for getting past those guys?

Simba: Live bait.

Timon: Good idea. Hey!

Simba: Come on, Timon. You guys have to create a diversion” (The Lion King, 01:12:04).

Also, before challenging Scar, Simba let Nala look for the rest of lions to better prepare for the battle, "Nala, you find my mother and rally the lionesses. I’ll look for Scar” (The Lion King, 01:12:35).

The above examples show that Simba gets ready to fight his evil uncle Scar for his proper throne and his kingdom. These are part of his plans that will definitely help in the future battle.

To conclude, the ignorance of the truth might greatly confuse people and prevent them from taking action, and will place them in great danger because of not knowing the truth. To some extent, ignorance stimulates people to seek the truth.

Work Cited

- William Shakespeare, Hamlet. edited vy Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine 2012.

(2) Walt Disney, The Lion King. 1994