Use of Parody in Shrek

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Use of Parody in Shrek

The basic plot line of `Shrek' is there is an ogre called Shrek, his

swamp is taken over by conventinal fairytale characters and the only

way to get rid of them is too save the princess. Shrek and princess

Fiona fall in love. Then Fiona turns out to be an ogre, and then Shrek

and Fiona marry. And as said in the film they live ugly ever after. In

a conventional fairytale this wouldn't happen as the hero himself

would go save the damsel in distress. Then they would marry and live

happily ever after. In this essay I will be showing How `Shrek' uses

parody in order to appeal to a wide and varied audience. A parody is

an imitation of an original to entertain.

All the way through `Shrek' there is parody. In the plot there is

parody. This is seen in the film when Shrek rescues Fiona. In an

conventional fairytale this wouldn't happen, as normally the prince

would save the damsel in distress. In `Shrek' this doesn't happen,

this interests the viewer as it has a twist in the tale and adds

tension to the moment. In conventional fairytales there isn't normally

a moral but in `Shrek' there is. The moral is beauty comes from

within.

The characters in `Shrek' appeal to all ages especially children as

they can relate themselves to them.

Shrek is a repulsive green ogre who is portrayed to be self-centred

and is happy with his life the way it is. His fairytale comparison is

Prince Charming. He is portrayed as Prince Charming as he rescues the

princess and marries her like Prince Charming does in Cinderella.

Princess Fiona is an attractive picturesque princess with a twist.

She's an ogre. Her fairytale comparison is...

... middle of paper ...

...and "childish"

humour. Teenagers are 'young' adults so they understand the adult

humour but they are also still children at heart. So they understand

the 'childish' humour part. Teenagers will also understand the TV

programme references, like the Blind Date parody at the beginning.

It attracts adults, as they will understand the adult humour. For

example "Although snow white lives with seven men, she is not easy."

Children wouldn't understand this, as it's a sexual reference. There

is also a twist in the tale (this helps it become an unconventional

fairytale.) Adults will understand that this is unconventional. Adults

will also appreciate it's a parody of a fairytale genre.

This film has used parody really well in this movie and it has made

loveable characters and humour to appeal to a wide and varied

audience.

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