Homework 1 :: Genre and Narrative analysis :: Shrek TEXT 2

Genre Analysis

Shrek is a comedy/ animation film which mainly targets children and families, achieving this through much cheap humour and happy ever after ending, it includes aspects of fairytales in general and includes many familiar fictional characters that will entertain the children. The gross aspects of being an ogre appear and Shrek's demeanour encourage comedy, much of the behaviour of the other characters is inline with archetypal comedy, the animation aspect also providing many opportunities for laughter. Even in the sense of normality there are things to laugh at and that the audience will find funny, his daily routine for example which has been changed, comically, for the ogre.

Character Analysis


Hero Naturally this is SHREK himself, as the main protagonist of the film, who the audience follows throughout- we watch him link in with the genre and as an ogre is quite unconventional, but funny nonetheless. Formerly a recluse he embarks upon the epic task if slaying a dragon, stereotypically a heroic feat.

Villain Lord Farquaad is the main antagonist in the film, the ruler of the kingdom of Duloc, in the fairytale world of Shrek, he is conventional of a villain as he is incredibly selfish, mean and attempting to cheat his way into becoming royalty: a character that is instantly disliked by the audience.

Princess Fiona is the object of Lord Farquaad's desire and is stereotypically the damsel in distress, trapped in a castle with a fearsome dragon guarding her. However later it emerges that she is also an ogress as well as beautiful maiden which is unconventional of Propp's theory but adds greatly to the comedic value. This later becomes more typical when her infliction becomes a curse that can only be lifted by a kiss from one true love. The twist being that the story and relationship to hero make the curse become a gift when Fiona can remain an ogress but still be breathtaking (to shrek).

Helper Donkey is one of Shrek's earliest friends and as he evidently has no leadership or heroic qualities he soon becomes adopted as Shrek's companion, as few skills he has to offer. He is a complete contrast with Shrek making him all the funnier as an ever present helper.

Donor Takes the unlikely form of a dragon, who originally appears as the film's antagonist until the end where she assists Shrek by swallowing Lord Farquaad enabling the ogre couple to marry. Later marries donkey.

Homework 1 :: Genre and Narrative analysis :: Shrek TEXT

Narrative Analysis
        Shrek perfectly fits Todorov's principle, with a clear structure matching his ideas, the faraway land in which Shrek is based comprises a fantastical land which is an obvious fit to the ideas expressed in this theory.


Equilibrium: The sense of 'normality' is expressed as much as it can be in the opening of Shrek, where the audience are presented with the daily routine of an ogre, which is specifically stressed to be mundane, emphasising that 'normality'. Furthermore we are presented with things that we would consider 'normal' i.e. brushing teeth yet with an ogre, making it all the more comedic (in relation to genre).


Disruption: The disruption to move the plot along also come in a comedic way and takes the form of many classic fairytale characters invading the secluded blissful rut the friendly ogre had settled down into, having being evicted from the city. In an attempt to return to his peaceful life shrek sets out to the city to find the king and right the wrong (classic hero)

Restoration: Following several other events of the film the restoration comes when Shrek an Fiona profess their love for each other, her having been rescued from a castle and fire breathing dragon as well as the king. They become a couple, get married in the swamp and live happy ever afterr.

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