Individuality In The Lion King

What does it mean to have individuality? According to the dictionary it is the sum of the attributes that distinguish a person or thing from others of the same kind (“individuality). But, how does one define and find these unique differences within themselves? For many this is the struggle of human nature- the choice to be an individualized subject rather than an object or member of the masses. For many of the characters in “The Lion King” there is a grappling struggle to define oneself as an individual, and for others individuality is something that comes almost instinctually. By closely examining the individual natures of four different characters one can begin to see how the struggle to discover or maintain ones own individuality will greatly

affect the formation of the self and the respect one has for the other.
Perhaps the best character to look at for the struggle of finding individuality is young Simba. Simba, who was born to the king and queen of the pride, Mustafa and Sarabi, was never given a choice as to whom he would be. He was predestined to be king of the pride lands.

As he grew he learned from his father about the rules and duties of a King, but when his father was killed Simba thought it was his fault and left to be on his own. He eventually returned and took his place as rightful king at the end of the movie. While Simba is learning to be king from his father he is living through Being in itself according to Sartre’s existential triangle. Instead of being a subject, Simba is creating himself into the objectified fact that he is going to be a king. It is easy to see that Simba is living in bad faith during this time by examining his desire to improve both his roar and fighting capabilities. He wants subjectivity and individuality, but is instead playing the role of an object so that he can one day be king and help improve the lives of the masses (those in the pride). When Simba leaves the pride he has transitioned into Being for itself. Out on his own Simba realizes that he is not meant to be king and that he does not have the qualities necessary for fulfilling this role. He transcends his own being by beginning to discover his own rules. Simba is fully immersed in Being-for-itself as he discovers who he truly is. This does not mean that he does not feel anguish for leaving the pride and rejecting his destiny.

It is when Nala finds him that he begins to transition into Being-with-others. Simba has been on his own, with the exception of Timone and Puma, through his adolescence and has developed his sense of self and identity outside of the other. When Nala enters back into his life and pressures him to retake his role as king he truly becomes a free individual. The others he rules over and interacts with can objectify him into only his role of being king, but being in their presence is also the only way for Simba to find his individualism. As Simba takes his predestined role he is able to live authentically free and recognize that he is what he is and is not what he is not. Without the time he had out on his own to complete his own projects, Simba would not have found individualism and the capability to rule the other fairly.
The Hyenas in “The Lion King” also faced the fight of finding individualism. Before Scar’s take over as king the hyenas were isolated from the rest of the animal kingdom. They lacked the respect of the other, and were instead objectified as evil creatures that killed animals unjustly. They were banished into “the elephant graveyard”, a barren wasteland where carcasses rot and return to the Earth. They Hyenas were living in bad faith just like Simba by Being-for-itself. When Scar welcomed them to join the pride the Hyenas appeared to find individuality, because they were able to live through Being-with-others. While not all of the pride enjoyed their presence, Scar allowed them to project their essence of nature. When Simba returns to take his place, and Scar blames his unjust rule on the hyenas, they are again being objectified by the other and losing their subjectivity. Instead of taking this loss of individualism and returning to their previous role of isolation, the Hyenas kill Scar. While the pride does not acknowledge them as a dignified others after this event, there is a sense of comradely among the pack of hyenas and they are able to grant individuality among each other.
Nala is a character that exemplifies having individuality throughout the entire movie. Unlike Simba, when Nala was young she had no predetermined destiny. Nala was not subject to filling a role, and did not face having to be objectified by the other. Her friendship with Simba was one that allowed her to thrive in the face of the other from the very beginning. Simba’s acknowledgement of Nala as a dignified other was what, according to Levinas, first granted her subjectivity and freedom. This allowed Nala to grow into an individual as she experienced Being-with-others. Despite facing the harsh rule of Scar, and his objectification of all of the members of the pride, Nala never lost her freedom. Her independence allowed her to see the problems with Scar’s rule and search for a solution. Her drive to help the other led her to finding Simba and encouraging him to come back and take his place. Nala’s individuality of staying true to herself and the desire to help the other was the reason pride rock returned to its original beauty.
Another character that feels solidarity with individuality throughout the entire movie is the shaman-like baboon, Rafiki. Rafiki introduces Simba to the pride and later encourages Simba to return. Rafiki’s Being is mainly for itself. He is immersed within the world and has transcended himself. This gives him the ability to understand the world and winds. He is wise and thoughtful, despite his silly outward actions and appearance. Rafiki is able to project his essence freely through his work, and this grants him his individuality. Though he does choose to spend the majority of his time alone, Rafiki does interact with other animals. The other animals respect Rafiki’s shamanistic abilities and further grant him his individuality and subjectivity. This solidarity with individuality allows Rafiki to develop his nature within the world and with the other subjects around him.
For all of the characters in “The Lion King” individuality is something that is granted through the solidarity with the subjective self and the respect for and of the other. Without subjectivity characters like Nala and Rafiki would never be able to be themselves and project their essence out into the world. If the Hyenas and Simba were never granted the respect of or for the other, they would have remained objectified and unable to have true freedom. It is through the freedom that individuality gives that the nature of the self continues to grow and develop.