"Lion King as a Feudalist Memoir " by Anastasia Y.

 If you do not want a new perspective of Lion King that you cannot unsee, do not read on!
According to Wikipedia, a noble lie is a myth or untruth, often, but not invariably, of a religious nature, knowingly propagated by an elite to maintain social harmony or to advance an agenda. 

Lion King as a Feudalist Memoir 

     Lion King’s message embodies Socrates’ suggestion to instill a “Noble Lie” into his ideal republic; the lie entails convincing citizens that all humans were infused with a unique metal that would determine social class. Rulers are gold, Warriors are silver, and Artisans are iron. The purpose of the lie was to keep the citizens in their respective class. Socrates calls this lie Noble because it would bring content and satisfaction to the lower class in regards to their role in society. The lie would also prevent citizens of the lower class from attempting ascendance toward nobility because their infused metal has already ordained their value. Such a system would justify an order of Hierarchal Feudalism. The Lion King ’s “circle of life” is an allegory to the system of Feudalism; the movie justifies the practicality of a fixed societal system. The Lion King i llustrates a message: the Noble Lie brings abundance but when social order is disrupted by attempts toward equality, chaos will ensue. 

     Simba’s character manifests the message that value is determined by birth as opposed to merit. The newborn Simba is immediately held above Pride Rock while the rest of the animals bow before him, exemplifying a power dynamic. He is instantly praised for simply being born because he is the son of the king. The future is ordained as Simba will eventually inherit his father’s position. The immediate praise received for his mere existence reiterates the Noble Lie: some people are inherently more valuable than others. This famous scene of Rafiki clutching the newborn Simba tells the animals that Egalitarianism is unobtainable because value is already determined at birth. The worshipping of Simba is a method to convince and remind the other

animals that Feudalism is a higher order. This birth scene is depicted as vibrant, abundant, and peaceful; therefore, perpetuating the notion that a hierarchical system is in the best interest of the citizens. The creators’ representation of social order substantiates The Lion King as a Feudalist memoir. 

     King Mufasa’s outcast brother, Scar, and his subjugation of the throne represents the lower class attempts to achieve equality. He steals the throne from Mufasa who previously echoed the philosophy that there is a “circle of life.” In other words, there is no argument against the present hierarchy: Lions are the aristocrats because the rest of the animals are simply their prey. Such a system parallels Socrates’ Noble Lie and models Feudalism. However, Scar subjugates Mufasa’s throne and brings about an era of equality between the lions and marginalized hyenas. Scar’s rule represents a lower class revolt. Although his agenda is progressive, his dominion proves futile as the land is depleted. The animals starve and his kingdom’s scenes are depicted as decaying and dark. Scar’s failed attempt to challenge the order perpetuates the notion of a Noble Lie to the audience. It tells the audience that an attempt toward upward mobility is vain because there is a natural order that foretells social class. The character of Scar substantiates The Lion King as a justification for Feudalism. Scar’s failure is the creators’ attempt to illustrate a message: “know your place and be content there.” This is Socrates’ noble lie.