Are the hyenas villains?

[SummerSnowLeopard]

The Hyenas supported Scar because they wanted food and respect. Scar knew this so thats why he went to the Hyenas in the first place. Scar knew that the Hyenas would do anything to get what they wanted. And Scar was willing to do anything to get what he wanted. So I consider the Hyenas villians.
Because if the Hyenas weren't villians, they would have either stopped hunting for sport or they would have left.

Also, the Hyenas hate lions so they probably wanted to help Scar so they could frighten Scar's Pride. I mean, they were offered basically the power to do anything they wanted. They probably tortured some lions and ate whatever they want. If I was offered the power to get whatever I wanted I would accept too.

Though I have to wonder: Did the Hyenas not kill Simba on purpose? That would make an intersting twist.

[Harvs]

Can't vote for this one because none of those options are valid. They are neither villains, nor anything. They are simply characters who did negative things. They cannot be classified as villains as they were not Scar. It's like comparing Caa in the Jungle Book to Shere Kahn. Kahn is obviously the villain, while Caa is merely a stepping stone for Mogli. In the same way that the Hyenas are stepping stones for Simba.

[Carl]

I do not think the hyenas were villains, they were merely doing what they had to. It was made clear several times throughout the film that they were going hungry. Their clan couldn't easily just get up and move because of the sheer numbers they are shown to have. Basically, they were slowly dying out there. They followed Scar for the same reason most of Germany followed Hitler; he was a charismatic leader who promised to pull them up out of their slump. He convinced them that by helping him gain power, they would be opening up the opportunity for themselves to prosper at last. As for not killing a child if you're not badㅡ it's the same concept as with the Milgram experiment. When an authority figure tells someone to do something, most people will do it without question. The people in the Milgram experiment were willing to shock people to death because they were told to (though of course, unbeknownest to them the shock wasn't real). The same psychology can be applied to Nazi Germany and to the hyenas. They were following orders. It is clear based on their reactions to Scar's plan that they never would have seriously thought to try and take down Mufasa themselves.

Were they in the wrong? Yes, most definitely. Were they villains? In the context provided by the movie, no. They were desperate people (or in this case, hyenas) who were willing to try anything to save themselves.

[DGFone]

Sure, the hyenas were displayed in a very negative light, but only because they were on Scar's side. The only crime they ever committed in the movie was to enter the Pride Lands, which I am not sure is even stated to be a "law". They did play around with Simba and Nala before trying to kill them, but that was in the hyena territory, not to mention that there was no telling if they were planning to eat the cubs or not. Or even if they simply wanted to kill the son of the lion who was keeping them away from juicy meat.

So it can be said that the hyenas are reacting to unfair persecution by the lions, and when Scar comes along and offers them what they desire most (reliable food and water), they jump at the opportunity.

Being played around by Scar just like everyone else doesn't make one a villain. Otherwise, both Mufasa and Simba would also be villains for this reason. Scar was a bad guy, sure, but he didn't let the hyenas know that. In their point of view, he was the lion messiah coming down to the humble hyena to bring them salvation in the form of the simple request of a steady food supply.

Portrayed as idiots? Perhaps. Villains? Nope.

[simbafan83]

the hyenas arent actually villians, but they were helpers to a villian for a while
they became good at the end : )

[DαгkШσłƒ]

They are bandwagoners in a sort. Whatever gets them food they will follow. So techncally you can't call them "bad guys". I guess you could say the same thing about the outlanders, considering they willingly commited to Simba's pride at the end of TLK2.

[cleargreenwater]

No. They are remorseless, unapologetic opportunists, who have their own codes and sense of morality that probably allows/provides for playing & messing with their eternal enemies, lions, the same way Gypsies exploit/swindle non-Gypsies with an encouraged internal cultural righteousness and impunity. And in TLK world, they are regarded as just about as tasteful and savory characters as Gypsies, too, untrustworthy and tacky! But they perceptibly do have a code, as can be seen in the high value they ascribe to friendship; Scar crosses a deep & unforgivable line forswearing it, throwing the bond of being "one of" them out the window, and as obnoxious as they all are to each other regularly, Shenzi & Banzai always make a point to keep Ed in the loop of what's going on and include him and it's a given both among themselves when they're taking on Mufasa (which, for "unreliable" animals that's some solidarity,) and in the story narrative that they all operate as a concrete unit: The Hyenas. Whether it's the trio or the clan, it's The Hyenas. So they aren't intrinsically villianous/corrupt/without a compass. It just doesn't preclude taking out a couple lion kings who make their lives difficult. And also do recall, as much as stood to be gained from allying with/manipulating Scar, it was Scar's idea to murder anyone.

[TheBlackCatCrossing]

I don't see the hyenas as 'evil'. I always saw them as darker versions of Timon and Pumbaa who provided the 'light' comedy whereas the hyenas are comedy fodder for the bad guy (Pain and Panic from Hercules, Smee from Peter Pan, etc). The fact that they had guest appearances on the Timon and Pumbaa cartoon detracts from the 'bad' label.

[Sigurd]

I don't think they are evil. They had no choice when Scar manipulated them to follow him, they were living in a deprived society with barely any food and then a person comes and says he wants to help them. You are very easy to manipulate if you are in a poor situation, that has history shown is.

[Bloodspill]

I think they rather was kind of foolish. But Shenzi was the most 'intelligent' one, more like sarcastic, so I guess she just liked to make fun of everything around.
I think they didn't even care whether their actions are good or wrong. They were choosing things that were making them comfortable, no matter if it could hurt the other ones. I mean, they were hangin' out with Scar because he could help them, and finally they killed them when they had a chance - maybe not in order to have their revenge for all those years of being offened but just to feed themselves - Scar was an easy target after the fight on the Pride Rock. So maybe that's why some people consider them as villains, but it's common in animals' real life. And if we're talking in LK cattegories, where the characters have feelings and relations, I'd call hyenas' attitude 'empty'.