Character Analysis Of The Film 'Shrek'

The animated film Shrek is a Dreamworks fairy tale that teaches us to look beyond what we expect to see, by completely subverting the traditional fairy tale concepts of gender, appearance and beauty. The characters in Shrek are vastly different from what we would expect to see in their appearance and behaviour. With unexpected plot twists, the directors of Shrek create important messages and morals that would not usually be conveyed, using techniques such as humour. The techniques have been placed strategically to result in an entertaining and educational film.

In traditional fairy tales, you can see what role each character plays by observing their appearance and behaviour as a first impression. What is very interesting in Shrek is that

For emotional support” Shrek says.

The scene ends with a heartwarming,

“That’ll do Donkey. That’ll do”. This scene is filmed in medium close-up, not in a low angle shot to demonstrate a softer side of Shrek. Shrek is really just a misunderstood character judged by his appearance before people actually get to know him. We now have the true “villain”, Lord Farquaad, who portrays the real ugly side, greed and evil. A low angle shot is used to make Lord Farquaad seem more powerful, and inspire fear in the audience. The unusual choice of the protagonist results our biased definition of hero and villain to be subverted.

Throughout the movie,Shrek takes us deep into the concept of inner vs outer beauty. Whilst Shrek, the protagonist represents a non-stereotypical prince, there is also Princess Fiona. The traditional fairy tales portray princesses as dependent, ladylike and weak. Although in the beginning of the film, Fiona embodies the typical feminism and ladylike qualities, a thin, beautiful princess. As the movie goes on Fiona acts more comfortably and breaks these princess qualities. There is a scene where Fiona interrupts Shrek and Donkey with her rather unfeminine

Fiona replies with “Well, maybe you shouldn’t judge people before you get to know them”

This response encounters with how Fiona is not ashamed of her true nature. Another scene that demonstrates more of Fiona’s nature is when Robinhood attempts to save Princess Fiona from the “dangerous, hideous ogre” and Princess Fiona is not hesitated to demand “What are you?. This shows that Princess Fiona is not afraid in showing her emotions. Princess Fiona also knows how to defend herself in dangerous situations. She is not vulnerable, weak woman who needs to be rescued as seen in traditional fairy tales.

The directors have been able to convey the binary of appearance and reality. Fiona was first disappointed by Shrek’s appearance. However, as Fiona develops a relationship with Shrek, she realises that there’s more to Shrek than what meets the eyes. The scene in the movie where Fiona is revealed to Donkey as another appearance is the major focus. On a spell, Fiona takes appearance of an ogre after sunset. Fiona is ashamed of her unattractive appearance, determined to marry Lord Farquaad in order to break the spell. Nevertheless, when Shrek sees Fiona’s ogre side, he is not disappointed and rather gets the courage to confess his love to Princess Fiona. Fiona’s wish comes true; True love’s first kiss, and takes love’s true form, the ogre. Non diegetic romantic music is used to show Shrek and Fiona’s connection. A mise en scène is created,