Why did Simba believe Scar for such a long time?

[Fozz]

I know that Simba was a very young, naive cub when Scar told him that he is responsible for his father's death. Simba was traumatized by his guilt, and I am sure he thought about that event over and over again.

But as he got older, I don't understand why he didn't start questioning what Scar told him, since he did what Scar told him to do (roar at the lizard), and then Scar rudely told Simba to run away and never return after Mufasa was killed.

If Simba had even the slightest bit of skepticism, he could have told Nala that Scar told him that Mufasa's death was his fault. She would have definitely assured Simba that Scar was lying and gotten rid of that awful guilt that Simba felt. Simba should have definitely been more skeptical as Nala told him about the awful things that Scar did. And yet, even as Simba was ready to rip Scar apart, he still believed Scar's lie

Simba should have been more skeptical before Scar finally whispered the truth , but I guess this makes the movie more interesting.

[SummerSnowLeopard]

Yes, it does. I've wondered this too. I've always wished that Simba sat down and told Nala about the terrible day. It would make all the puzzle peices fit together sooner.

(Welcome to MLK, btw )

[Fozz]

Thanks for the welcome.

Watching that scene when Simba "admits" his responsibility in front of Scar, Nala, Sarabi, and everyone else still makes me cringe.

[QueenRalexia]

I have wondered this too, I think Simba just believe Scar because he trusted
I don't think as a cub Simba thought Scar was as evil as he was but thats just my opinion

[Fozz]

[quote="QueenRalexia"]I have wondered this too, I think Simba just believe Scar because he trusted
I don't think as a cub Simba thought Scar was as evil as he was but thats just my opinion[/quote]
As a cub, I would understand that, but I am baffled at why Simba still trusted Scar's lie after hearing about how terrible Scar was, and remembering how rude he was to Simba. He definitely should have told Nala the story, not as absolute truth, but as Scar's word.

[Panda-chan]

For the simple reason that Scar is his uncle and blood relative. Seriously, would you ever suspect a family member of murdering your father and then covering it up by blaming it on you? Simba was very trusting of his uncle as anyone would be and so naturally the idea never crossed his mind. It probably never would have too had Scar not confessed to it himself.
Another reason why he never questioned what Scar told him is because he never thought about it in the first place. He tried to erase the fact that the stampede even happened from his mind through Hakuna Matata. Nothing about that terrible day made sense to poor Simba, and he didn't want to think about it much for obvious reasons, so the only way to deal with the hurt and confusion was to just let it go. That's why it took so long for him to recognize Nala or even remember that he was supposed to be king.

[quote="Fozz"]Simba should have definitely been more skeptical as Nala told him about the awful things that Scar did. And yet, even as Simba was ready to rip Scar apart, he still believed Scar's lie[/quote]
He might have initially thought Scar was a bad ruler and nothing more. Remember, he had no reason to believe Scar was the cold-hearted killer he actually was. Later, when he was "ready to rip Scar apart", it was only because he had slapped Sarabi and refused to step down. Simba still trusted his uncle to a basic point and didn't let this go until the very end when Scar actually whispered to him that he killed Mufasa.

[Fozz]

Simba still didn't have to believe that he was responsible for Mufasa's death. It could be possible to think that Scar wanted to surprise him, then the stampede happened without anyone expecting it, and Mufasa died trying to save Simba, with no particular lion being at fault. Simba only did what his uncle told him to do (stay at the gorge, practice his roar), and did nothing to kill his father. But yet Simba still believed Scar's lie for all this time.

Maybe he was too depressed to think this through, but thinking about it was indeed important after Nala's return.

[SummerSnowLeopard]

Thats what I always thought. That Simba was in so much shock and greif to really think.

[SilverSimba01]

hmm, I never had though about this one, but I certainly don't think that Simba ever come to his mind to question Scar

[PrincessKiara]

In Simba`s mind, he had no reason NOT to believe Scar.

Scar does tell him "if it weren`t for you, your father would still be alive." Simba interprets this as: "your father died saving you. If you hadn`t needed saving, he would still be alive." I know it was Scars fault that Simba was in the gorge to begin with, but being a small cub at the time, Simba would not have been able to do the math on this one. He was overcome with shock, grief and guilt.. He even says "the wildebeest..he tried to save me.. it was an accident, I didn`t mean for it to happen!" So even before Scar puts the blame on him, Simba has already blamed himself for his fathers death.

But anyway, like I said.. Simba had no reason to think anything Scar told him was a lie.