Shrek
In traditional fairy tales, ogres are man-eating beasts. The Prince usually rescues the
Princess, they marry and live happily ever after.
How do the makers of Shrek use presentational devices to reverse this tradition, to reveal
the ogre as good and the ‘prince’ as evil?
1. Introduction
Explain what the essay is going to be about and how you are going to analyse the
characters of Shrek and Lord Farquaad.
Make reference to traditional fairy tales.
For example
• In Jack and the Beanstalk the giant chases Jack.
• In Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Snow White is freed from the spell by a handsome prince,
and lives happily ever after.
2. Shrek’s character
a. The beginning of Shrek.
• The film opens like a traditional fairy story, using the well-known beginning 'Once upon a time there
was a lovely princess … '.
• This is interrupted by a hand snapping the book shut. Shrek appears.
• Modern rap music suggests that this film will not be a conventional fairy story.
•
•
Viewers are surprised because …
The beginning of the film suggests that …
b. The storybook characters arrive.
• Shrek threatens them, saying ogres will ‘shave your liver, squeeze the jelly from your eyes'.
• He tries to frighten them – saying ogres are ‘much worse’ than giants.
• People run away screaming.
•
Shrek seems like a traditional ogre because …
c. Donkey and Shrek meet.
• Shrek roars at him, tries to intimidate Donkey.
• Donkey is not frightened: 'You need some Tic-Tacs' – Shrek ridiculed about his bad breath.
• Donkey is persistent and continues to question Shrek.
• Shrek shouts 'What am I?' to emphasise to Donkey that he’s an ogre, but fails to impress.
• Donkey continues to irritate Shrek, bouncing on his chair, peering through the window.
• Shrek fails to stop Donkey – suggests that he isn't a terrifying ogre.
• Mice running over his table and up on his shoulder. Comedy as he fails to catch them. Shouts ‘I'm a
terrifying ogre, what do I have to do to get a little privacy?'.
•
The behaviour of the donkey and the mice tells viewers that Shrek …
d. Visit to Duloc.
• Donkey often argues with Shrek. Says that Shrek should 'pull some ogre stuff' to sort out Lord
Farquaad.
• Donkey tells Shrek that he is too soft, that the swamp belongs to him anyway.
• Shrek asks Donkey if he should 'decapitate an entire village [ … ] cut open their spleens … ‘.
• Viewers feel that Shrek isn't capable of doing this even if he wanted to. Donkey argues with Shrek.
Shrek not even vaguely frightening.
• Instead of accepting the challenge with Lord Farquaad's knights, Shrek offers to 'settle it over a pint'.
•
As the film progresses, we learn that Shrek …
Shrek essay ~ notes
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Shrek
e. Rescue of Princess Fiona.
• Shrek shakes her violently: 'Wake up now, let's go'.
• She is disappointed that there is no 'romantic moment'.
• Initially Shrek tries to behave in a threatening manner.
•
•
Other characters see Shrek as …
He has to continually remind them that they should be scared because …
3. Lord Farquaad’s evil side
•
•
•
•
•
Watches torture of the Gingerbread Man. Laughs and taunts him: 'Run, run, run as fast as you can
…’. Tries to pull Gingerbread Man's buttons off. Throws Gingerbread Man in the bin. Gingerbread
Man screams.
Parody of 'Blind Date': Lord Farquaad has three beautiful women to choose from.
Lord Farquaad comes for the Princess – language very formal: 'Beautiful, fair, flawless Fiona, will
you be the perfect bride for the perfect groom?'.
End – Lord Farquaad orders the knights to 'Get that out of my sight'. Tells knights to arrest Fiona
when he sees her after sunset. Still proclaims himself as King, even though the marriage has been
abandoned.
In this film we quickly learn that the Prince is not like a traditional fairy tale character because …
4. Camera Shots
Introduce the importance of different camera shots and why they are used.
• When Shrek scares the storybook characters away there is a close up shot of his mouth – to give the
impression that he is going to eat them. Darkness creates further unease.
• Again when the storybook characters arrive with orders from Lord Farquaad telling Shrek that he
needs to move out of the swamp, the low-angle shot makes Shrek appear threatening as he looks
down, towering over these characters. They run away.
• Tension is built as Lord Farquaad is introduced – his guard is wearing a balaclava, and the first shot
we see of Lord Farquaad is of his hands (not his face) – he is putting on a pair of gloves as if he
means business.
• His elevated position is emphasised when the camera moves from ground level upwards to reveal
his tower. The high angle shot makes Shrek and Donkey seem more vulnerable.
• Low angle shots are used effectively to show Lord Farquaad looking down on Shrek and his
subjects.
• Mid angle shots are used when Shrek and Donkey are relaxing together, and when Shrek has
cooked Princess Fiona a meal. Such shots are helpful as they show characters socialising with each
other. They are on an equal footing.
• Close up shots are also useful for focusing the viewer's attention on the characters' emotions. Both
Princess Fiona and Shrek can reveal their true happiness through close ups of them smiling. The
camera moves from one to the other and back again.
• Sometimes the character's back is shown rather than their face. This serves to highlight their
isolation from the rest of the characters. One such example is where Shrek sits on the edge of the
cliff with his back to the camera when Princess Fiona goes off to bed. He also turns his back on the
fire. Later on he turns his back on Donkey to signal the end of their friendship.
•
In this film the way camera shots are used …
5. Presentational Devices
a. Setting – partly set in Shrek's swamp – traditional / expected home of an ogre. Yet Donkey follows
Shrek into it and even attempts to set up home there. Not as unwelcoming as it should be.
Lord Farquaad's castle – torture of Gingerbread man, hooded figures, tries to defeat Shrek in the
courtyard. Violence, secrecy – should be a place of splendour.
•
The settings in the film are not traditional because …
Shrek essay ~ notes
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Shrek
b. Lighting
•
•
When the Princess leaves Shrek at dusk he feels alone. His isolation is emphasised by him sitting
away from the fire with his back to the camera. He is staring into the black of night, looking at the
moon.
After Shrek has met the Princess he is often pictured by the sunset. Shrek and the Princess walk
together through the woods – sunny day – birds chirping – Princess singing – contentment.
End brilliant light – suggests goodness / magical fairytale ending.
•
Lighting in the film is used to show …
•
d. Music and sound effects
•
•
•
•
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When we first meet Lord Farquaad and the hooded figure there is marching music – tense –
suggests battle.
When Shrek enters the arena there is organ music – suggests the importance of Shrek's tournament
and the importance of the Lord.
Shrek misinterprets the conversation that he overhears between Donkey and the Princess. The slow
music reflects his unhappiness.
When Shrek goes home there is a song about broken dreams and promises. Even Donkey and the
dragon are crying.
The film makers use music and sound effects …
e. Importance of Donkey
•
•
•
•
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Follows Shrek back to swamp. Ignores 'Beware of ogre' sign.
Refuses to heed Shrek's advice to leave him alone.
Lightens atmosphere at tournament – rolls barrels into knights – makes scene funny.
When Donkey returns after finding flowers he looks at Shrek and Princess smiling at each other and
says ‘My, isn't this romantic'.
Acts as Shrek's advisor. Shrek listens to him when he is having difficulties.
•
The Donkey is an important character because he shows us that …
6. Conclusion
Write a paragraph in which you address the question. Show that you now understand that a good film is
successful not just because of the characters, but also because of the devices that the makers use to
influence the viewers. Sum up the essay by writing about the reversal of a traditional fairy tale.
Shrek essay ~ notes
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© 2002 www.teachit.co.uk