The Cowardly Lion đź”’ Members
Oz. From The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum (1900). A large lion who believes himself a coward despite his fearsome appearance and growing acts of bravery throughout his journey to the Emerald City.
Age and build
Great size and weight
“When the Cowardly Lion stepped upon the raft it tipped badly, for he was big and heavy” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 8)
Powerful physical strength
“the Lion put his strong front legs against the tree and pushed with all his might” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 7)
Face and hair
Shaggy mane
“the Lion shook his shaggy mane and looked thoughtful” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 7)
Sensitive whiskers
“the heat was so intense that it singed his whiskers” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 11)
Dress
The book is silent here, so we keep this plain and neutral.
Voice and speech
Loud, terrible roar
“he gave so loud and terrible a roar that Dorothy screamed and the Scarecrow fell over backward” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 7)
Speaks thoughtfully and quietly
“What is your trouble?” asked the Lion quietly” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 21)
Signature words
Coward, cowardly
“No one would think of biting such a little thing, except a coward like me” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 6)
Afraid, terribly afraid
“I am terribly afraid of falling, myself” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 7)
Heart beating fast
“whenever there is danger, my heart begins to beat fast” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 6)
Unhappy, sorrow
“It is my great sorrow, and makes my life very unhappy” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 6)
Gait and mannerisms
Walks with stately strides
“the Lion walking with stately strides at Dorothy’s side” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 6)
Wipes tears with his tail
“he wiped his eyes so often with the tip of his tail that it became quite wet” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 13)
Curls up to sleep like a cat
“he sprang upon the bed and rolled himself up like a cat and purred himself asleep in a minute” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 11)
Bounds and springs with great force
“a great Lion bounded into the road” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 6)
Strengths
Powerful roar that frightens enemies
“I learned that if I roared very loudly every living thing was frightened and got out of my way” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 6)
Loyal and protective of companions
“the Lion guarded the door of her room so she might not be disturbed” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 10)
Capable of defeating dangerous creatures
“with one blow of his heavy paw, all armed with sharp claws, he knocked the spider’s head from its body” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 21)
Flaws
Believes himself a coward despite evidence otherwise
“as long as I know myself to be a coward I shall be unhappy” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 6)
Heart races with fear in dangerous situations
“whenever there is danger, my heart begins to beat fast” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 6)
Trembles when facing threats
“They are the Kalidahs!” said the Cowardly Lion, beginning to tremble” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 7)
Susceptible to the poppy flower's narcotic effects
“The flowers had been too strong for the huge beast and he had given up at last” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 8)
Traits
Thoughtful and reflective
“Perhaps,” said the Lion thoughtfully, “if I had no heart I should not be a coward” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 6)
Becomes brave when protecting others
“the Lion gave a great roar and sprang towards them” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 12)
Ultimately proves himself worthy of kingship
“Then the beasts bowed down to the Lion as their King” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 21)
Lines in their own words
“I didn’t bite him,” said the Lion, as he rubbed his nose with his paw where Dorothy had hit it” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 6)
“I suppose I was born that way. All the other animals in the forest naturally expect me to be brave, for the Lion is everywhere thought to be the King of Beasts” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 6)
“I am a Cowardly Lion, afraid of everything. I came to you to beg that you give me courage, so that in reality I may become the King of Beasts, as men call me” (The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, part 11)
Reference sheet
Film looks we will not copy
- MGM 1939 Bert Lahr costume look: upright man in a lion suit, bow in the mane
- The song 'If I Were King of the Forest'
Always book accurate. Every quote above was checked word for word against our stored copy of the text. Pictures are made with AI from the book's own description and checked by hand for film looks.
