Alice's Adventures in Wonderland · Character

Lion

Also known as Cowardly Lion

  • Supporting
  • First seen · Book 2 · Ch. 7

He has the weary gravity of a creature who would rather stay exactly where he is, chin settled on his paws and eyes barely open. Even his deep, hollow voice seems to arrive from somewhere slow and distant, making his quietness feel as imposing as a roar.

Gender
male
First appears
Book 2 · Ch. 7
Books
1

The Lion is first encountered in a state of profound drowsiness, lying with his chin on his paws and speaking in a deep, hollow voice. When he does stir, his tired stillness gives way briefly to anger, before he settles back into sleepiness. His appearance and manner form a comic counterpoint to the more energetic world around him. The text does not specify his mane, coloring, or other bodily details.

Description

The Lion is described resting on the ground with his chin on his paws, his eyes half shut and his whole manner very tired and sleepy. His expression is heavy-lidded and languid, and his deep, hollow voice contributes to an impression of weight and age. No details are supplied about his mane, coat color, size, or clothing, so these remain unspecified. The Lion is a large, powerful beast with a shaggy mane and a substantial build. His eyes look tired and sleepy, often half closed, while his broad paws make a natural resting place for his chin. He carries himself with a weary, wary air; his coat color is not specified.

Connections

  • Aliceconflicting source relationships

    The Lion initially mistakes Alice for a fabulous monster and asks whether she is animal, vegetable, or mineral. He then has her hand round plum-cake and calls her “Monster.”

  • U

    Unicornconflicting source relationships

    They repeatedly fight over the White King’s crown, trade boasts about who has the advantage, and argue over their share of the plum-cake.

  • White Kingconflicting source relationships

    The Lion fights the Unicorn for the crown, which the White King says is his. The King is nervous around the Lion and tries to prevent their quarrels from escalating.

Story so far

  1. BOOK 2Through The Looking Glass

Key events

  1. Book 2
    Ch. 8
    The Lion and Unicorn BattleAlice witnesses the Lion and Unicorn fighting over the White King's crown in a comic, ceremonial battle that pauses for refreshments.

Appearances

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