Shrek – An analysis

The Hero’s Journey

The Hero’s Journey

• Known vs. unknown• A ‘regular’ person• Call to Adventure• Gatekeepers/Threshold• Road of Trials• Death of Fear• Transformation• Integration• Return

A ‘regular’ person…”I’m an Ogre”

• As the story begins, Shrek is living in his swamp, wanting to be left alone, and generally disliked by all, but he’s gotten used to it. And then Donkey comes into his life.

Call to Adventure

• After the Fairy Tale creates invade his swamp, our hero visits the Lord Farqud and is given his “quest.”

Gatekeepers-Threshold

• Donkey acts as the “Gatekeeper” – he’s trying to convince Shrek not to go on the quest.

• Shrek, however, reveals he ‘has layers’ – which introduces to the reader that there is also an ‘inner quest.’

Road of Trials

• Shrek, with his companion Donkey, embark on the quest. Shrek now has various challenges to overcome in order to finish the quests, both the inner quest and the outer quest.

Road of Trials –The Physical Challenges

Rescuing Donkey from the Lake of Lava

Road of Trials –The Physical Challenges

Rescuing Donkey from the Dragon!

Road of Trials –The Physical Challenges

Finding the Princess

Road of Trials –The Physical Challenges

Fighting of Robbers and Kidnappers

Road of Trials –The Physical Challenges

Being shot with an arrow.

Road of Trials – The Internal Challenges.

Letting the Princess seewhat he really looks like.

Road of Trials – The Internal Challenges.

Confronting the pain he feels inside.

Road of Trials – The Internal Challenges.

Starting to reveal his deepest fear!

Realizing his deepest fear!

Road of Trials – The Internal Challenges.

But then Donkey helps Shrek tounderstand his fears. This revelation helps Shrek to proceed and eventually complete the Hero’s Journey.