Essay Guide
TASK
In traditional fairy tales, ogres are man-eating beasts. The Prince usually rescues
the Princess; they marry and live happily ever after.
Show how the makers of Shrek reverse this tradition to reveal the ogre as good and
the ‘Prince’ as evil.
In your answer you should refer to representation and appropriate aspects of film
language.
1. Introduction
You should mention:
 Name of the text
Shrek
 Director(s)
Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson
 Studio
DreamWorks Animation
 Release Date
29 June 2001
 Audience
Family
 Genre
Animation/Adventure/Comedy/Romance
 Explain the focus of your essay (to show how representation and film language
are used to highlight that Shrek is an unconventional fairy tale, and reveal the
ogre as good and the prince is bad.
2. The Opening Sequence

Explain that the opening sequence of the film is important as it establishes from
the outset that Shrek will be an unconventional take on the fairy tale genre.

Go on to analyse the opening sequence to support this point of view.
3. Representation: Shrek (A traditional ogre - bad)

Explain that initially Shrek seem to possess the qualities of a traditional ogre.

Go on to analyse his first interaction with the storybook characters to support this
point
4. Representation: Shrek (An unconventional ogre – good)

Explain that nevertheless it soon becomes clear to the audience that Shrek is very
different from a traditional ogre.

Analyse Donkey’s first meeting with Shrek to support this point
5. Representation: Shrek (An unconventional ogre - good)

Explain that the visit to Duloc is another scene that presents Shrek as an
unconventional ogre

Analyse this scene to support this point
6. Representation: Shrek (An unconventional ogre - good)

Explain that Shrek’s feelings for Fiona make him an unconventional ogre as we
would not expect this type of character to have feelings/fall in love.

Show how film language is used to convey Shrek’s feelings/love for Fiona
7. Representation: Lord Farquaad (An unconventional ‘Prince’ - bad)

Explain what the audience would expect a fairy tale prince to be like and go on to
sum up how Farquaad is different.

Explain how aspects of film language are used to convey that Lord Farquaad is
evil
8. Conclusion

Use a concluding word or phrase

Sum up the points that you’ve made and refer back to the task (i.e. mention that
the filmmaker’s techniques have been effective in reversing the conventions of
fairy tales to reveal the ogre as good and the ‘Prince’ as evil.)
Well done!
You’ve complete your first Media Essay
Read over your work carefully before handing in.
Supplementary Notes
Opening Sequence
 The film opens like a traditional fairy story, using the well-known beginning
'Once upon a time there was a lovely princess …’ At this point the soundtrack
(non diegetic) suggests that the film will be traditional in its approach.

This is interrupted by a hand snapping the book shut. Shrek appears. This is
accompanied with the change of sound track whereby modern rap music suggests
connotes an unconventional approach to this genre.
Shrek’s first interaction with the storybook characters
 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.
 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.
Shrek’s first meeting with Donkey
 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?'.
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'.
Scenes to show an ogre has feelings: Shrek overhears Donkey and Fiona
talking/Shrek and Fiona spend time together
 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.
 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.
 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.
Lord Farquaad is Evil
 Use of setting demonstrates this: 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.
 When we first meet Lord Farquaad and the hooded figure there is marching music
– tense – suggests battle.
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.
 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.
Farquaad’s first meeting with Shrek
 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.