Topic > The Depiction of the Oedipus Complex in the Film The Lion King

Sigmund Freud named the Oedipus Complex after a man named Oedipus who accidentally kills his father and marries his mother. Once Oedipus realizes what he has done, he gouges out his eyes and becomes blind. Similar to Oedipus, the concept states that boys feel sexually attracted to their mother and feel hatred and jealousy towards their father. These negative feelings are due to the need to possess the mother exclusively, without having to share that love. No matter how the boy feels, society considers incest a scary attribute, and therefore boys must learn to suppress their obscene attraction. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay A child's love for his mother is never seen as unconventional, however, Simba's infatuation with his mother seems considerably incestuous. Subtle evidence of Simba's tainted affection can be detected in the waterhole scene, where Simba's desire to become king is boldly displayed through his song "I Can't Wait to Be King." His wish may seem innocent until, upon further analysis, one begins to see the hidden evil behind this wish. The wish present in Simba can only be fulfilled as soon as the current king, his father, has voluntarily resigned or is no longer breathing. Furthermore, Simba's eagerness to become king only emerges when his father tells him that everything Mufasa currently owns at Pride Rock, including his mother, would one day be his. Simba's obsession with becoming king is his way of expressing his desire to replace his father. Another indication of his inappropriate affection can be seen when Simba and Nala flee to what they believed was an elephant graveyard. Simba's persistence in visiting the elephant graveyard, after being told not to by both his father and Zazu, is perceived as his attempt to compete with his father and show his courage; perhaps in his search for his mother's love. However, this wish of his is crushed as Simba is unable to protect himself or his friends from the hyenas without Mufasa's help. The following scene highlights Simba placing his small paw on his father's larger footprint. This image presented before the cub forces him to understand that Mufasa is significantly bigger and stronger than him. This knowledge not only deflates Simba's ego, but forces the cub to make an important decision: defy his father or become like him. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Personalize EssayAs the old adage goes, "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em," Simba begins the identification process by imitating his father's attributes. Ultimately, Simba impersonates his father so well that when he returns to King's Rock in the final scenes to reclaim his kingdom, his mother mistakes Simba for Mufasa..