Rescue of Princess Fiona

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Luke Slisz 10C

Shrek Coursework, part 1

Rescue of Princess Fiona

    In traditional fairytles, such as 'Snow White', traditional ogres and princesses are enemies by nature. in traditional fairytales it is the prince who slays the ogre and marries the princess to live 'hppily ever after' ; they are enemies. Traditionallly thee is good and evil, ogres are evil (wiched, heartless and violent) unlike princes and princesses who are goodwilled, noble and kind.

    Stereotypical ogres seen as 'beasts' are those who live in the wild and slaughter animals as they please, it doesn't matter because they only care for themselves. Stereotypical princesses are seen as beautiful, elegant and fragile. A startling sight only worth to be married by royalty.

    In comparing, the characters of Shrek to the giant from Jack And The Beanstalk, they are very different. But one thing they have in common is that they both live alone because they are feared. But it is the giant who is the killer and will 'grind your bones for bread'. Shrek is a sensative charater with his 'layers' and the giant is not. Shrek has been given a true love by fate, while the giant falls to his death from the beanstalk.

    Snow White from sleeping beauty eats an apple poisoned so she would sleep for eternity until she is awoken by the kiss of her true love, a prince. Comparing Lord Farquard to a traditional prince, the prince is the one to be favoured above Lord Farquard becase Farquard is selfish, short, evil and stubborn. The prince of Sleeping Beauty marries her for love, Farquard marries so he can be king and have his kingdom.

    In the opening of this film there is upbeat pop music and Shrek is fun and joyful, entertaining himself. Bathing in the swamp before brushing his teeth, smiling, causing the mirror to crack. It is all very comical, junk opera. Comparing this an opening of a traditional fairytale, in a traditional opening there would be no pop music or at all comedy but slow, dramtic music played on harps (maybe none at all, but instead singing birds) nor would there be a jolly ogre enjoying himself freely. Shrek's behaviour is all very surprizing to the viewer. It is unusual to see a great, green ogre of all things, concerned with sanitation. And Shrek ripping the last page out from the fairytale book while in the toilet is unexpected and would strike the viewer. It tells the viewer stright-away, this is a comedy, and also a film based on fairytales with non-traditional supernatural characters.

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    Later on in the film, Shrek meets Donkey who is to be his best and only friend. It is obvious to the viewer that Donkey is dim and this irritates Shrek much, ex. when Shrek asks "looks at me Donkey, what am i?", and trying to point out he is a "terrifying" ogre, Donkey replies "really tall?". Aother is when Shrek closes the mouth of Donkey while he is speaking to shut him up. but Donkey continues to talk until he was done. And through these occurances as such, Donkey tries to block out the negative acts from ...

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