How Shrek Uses Presentational Devices To Reverse Stereotypes

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Vitor Sundargi

Shrek Coursework

Ms Soto

How Shrek Uses Presentational Devices to Reverse Stereotypes

When people think of Fairytales, they think of a knight in shining armour, the helpless damsel in distress, the evil witch who is intent on destroying the romance and a happy ending. Fairytales are stories with a moral which have been passed down from generation to generation. The opening scene of Shrek is a parody of the popular Disney film ‘Snow White’. You can tell this is not going to be an ordinary fairy tale as Shrek rips the first page and proceeds to use it as toilet roll. There is also irony in the opening. People associate bathing with cleaning ourselves, however Shrek uses mud. Comedy is another device. The scene when Shrek is painting could be considered to be similar to a famous artist painting, however instead of using paintbrushes Shrek uses bug juice. Irony is also re-introduced when the subject of the painting is Shrek, an ugly ogre rather than a subject of interest.

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The humour is used to make sure the story appeals to everyone, including adults and children. In the scene where Shrek and Donkey approach the castle, Shrek notes the size and says “Don’t you think he’s over compensating for something?” The younger audience wouldn’t get this joke but the adults would, but both of them will enjoy the film since it also has jokes that appeal to both. For example, when Donkey pushes the information button, a jingle starts playing “Please don’t walk on the grass, clean our shoes, wipe our….. face!” This is the kind of humour that would ...

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