10 Reasons Why The Hyenas Are The True Heroes Of The Lion King
2. The Hyenas Have A Cruel, But Fair Sense Of Justice
Do the hyenas commit ‘bad’ acts? Yes - Scar’s not the most savory character to hook up with. But context is all-important. For the hyenas, it’s a matter of preservation - the difference between survival and starvation. That would drive individuals to do many desperate, ‘bad’ things. And furthermore, the hyenas redeem themselves by the end of the movie - they devour Scar after discerning his true nature.
It’s an example of the hyenas’ ‘cruel but fair’ sense of right and wrong. It underlines their survival instinct to protect themselves, at all costs, from those who hate and misunderstand them. And lastly, it allows Simba to ‘take the high road’ - he reclaims his throne without shedding any more of his family’s blood, and keeps his paws clean.