by Meskhenet » June 28th, 2013, 3:47 pm
I personally don't believe they were villains. When Scar was plotting to kill Mufasa in the "Be Prepared" scene he got the hyena trio, Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed, and their pack to agree with the plot after they were promised with an endless supply of food. I sense the hyenas were starving (due to their home being a graveyard) because the hyenas were willing to do anything to make sure they are able to stuff their faces with carrion. Also in the "Elephant Graveyard" scene the hyenas were willing to go after Simba, Nala, and Zazu because they thought they were to going to make a meal out of them. So in a nutshell, the hyenas aren't really evil. Scar knew their weak spot and he used that as an advantage point to usurp the throne from Mufasa and Simba.