A Psychoanalysis of Simba - Lion King Simba, the main protagonist throughout the Disney film “The Lion King” displays many defense mechanisms throughout the movie, as it span throughout his childhood, and into adolescence. I chose this character because I enjoyed this growing up, and now I can view it in a more mature, psychoanalytic perspective. Simba was born into royalty, his father before him, Mufasa, was leader of the animals on Pride Rock, and Simba was next in line to rule, he was the “Chosen One”. Simba then portrayed denial when he denies all responsibility when he decides to leave, to eventually live in the jungle with new found friends. After Scar, the main antagonist of the film betrays Simba and makes him believe that Simba was responsible for the death of his father Mufasa, Simba runs away rather than facing what has happened. In this, Simba is displaying what is known as regression. Simba also acts in a repressive way so he forgets his old life and wants nothing to do with it, he pushes it away because of the guilt he feels for thinking he killed his father. When Simba meets the wise baboon Rafiki, he is mad at himself and when he starts speaking with Rafiki he lashes out at him and displaces his anger upon Rafiki. Rafiki hit Simba on the top of his head with his staph. After Simba meets female lioness Nala, he rationalizes with himself while having thoughts about going back to Pride Rock, and regrets leaving in the first place. Simba also knows what Scar is doing is wrong, but feels that he cannot do anything to stop him. After Simba returns home to make things right, he comes to a realization that the way he has been living is not right and returns to Pride Rock to save everyone from Scars wrath. Simba shows sublimation by showing maturity in the fact that his previous behaviour was unacceptable and he unconsciously transformed his poor behaviour into socially acceptable actions by returning home to save the kingdom. Simba has a very strong ID, he runs away from home, lives in the wild, and only does things that are beneficial to himself. His ego is strong as well, as when he is living by himself, in a foreign environment he had to make tough choices, and sacrifices in order to stay alive. At the beginning when Mufasa dies, Simba loses any superego that he had developed prior to this casualty occuring. So, all of Simba’s ethics, and moral understandings got suppressed by the emotion he felt after the loss of his father. But, by the end of the film, Simba develops a proper superego when he returns home to save everyone, and this proves that he cares about more than just himself.
Every movie character, and everyone is general displays signs of defense mechanisms in order to cope with what happens in life, Simba shows most, if not all of them during The Lion King, and evolved as a character throughout the film. Personality Traits: Core Values: Part 2:
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