Click the titles to navigate
Parody
Visit to Duloc 2
History of Fairytales
Fiona 1
Opening of the film
Fiona 2
The Storybook Characters
Donkey and Shrek Meet
Farquaad
Camera Angles
Visit to Duloc 1
Parody
• parody is a work that imitates
another work in order to ridicule,
ironically comment on, or poke
affectionate fun at the work itself;
• a literary or musical work in which the
style of an author or work is closely
imitated for comic effect or in ridicule.
Poetry Parodied
• The following is a well-known poem by G. W.
Langford which not only preached at parents
but threatened them with a reminder of the
high mortality rate for young children:
Speak gently to the little child!
Its love be sure to gain;
Teach it in accents soft and mild;
It may not long remain.
LEWIS CARROLL’S PARODY
• Carroll turned this into a song for the
Duchess to sing to a piglet wrapped in baby
clothes:
Speak roughly to your little boy,
And beat him when he sneezes.
He only does it to annoy
Because he knows it teases.
THE STORY OF SHREK:
JEFFREY KATZEMBERG AT DISNEY
• From 1975 to 1984 Jeffrey Katzenberg
worked with Walt Disney in Who
Framed Roger Rabbit, The Little
Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast,
Aladdin, and The Lion King.
• But in 1984 when expected to become
2nd in command under Michael Eisner,
he was passed over.
THE STORY OF
SHREK:
JEFFREY
KATZEMBERG
AT DISNEY
SHREK: REVENGE OF JEFFREY
KATZEMBERG
• To get his revenge on Disney, in 1994
Katzenberg joined Steven Spielberg
and David Geffen to form
“Dreamworks.”
• And Dreamworks parodied all things
Disney in their “Shrek” movies.
• Shrek is a Yiddish word and also a
German word. In both languages, it
means “fear,” or “terror.”
PARODIES OF DISNEY CHARACTERS
• Dreamworks used words, actions, behaviors,
and visual effects in Shrek to parody such
Disney icons as Beauty and the Beast,
Cinderella, Dumbo, the Little Mermaid, Peter
Pan, Pinocchio, and Sleeping Beauty.
• Earlier, Shrek says that ogres are layered,
like onions. At the end of the movie, Shrek
and Fiona ride off in an onion-shaped
carriage.
PARODIES OF FOLK LITERATURE
• Since much of Disney’s success was
grounded in the recreation of folk literature,
parodies can also be found of the
Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks and the
Three Bears, the Three Blind Mice and the
Three Little Pigs.
• For example, in the parody of the Three
Bears, Mama is wearing a pink hair bow,
and later there is a bear rug in Farquaad’s
bedroom which is also wearing a pink hair
bow.
PARODIES OF DISNEY STUDIOS
• Dreamworks also parodied Disney
Studios in Shrek by reproducing its
parking lot (called “Lancelot”), its long
winding lines of people, its turnstyles,
and its sets, and its buildings.
• For example, when people enter DuLac,
the puppets are singing “Welcome to
DuLac” in the same key and tempo as
“It’s a Small World.”
PARODIES OF POPULAR CULTURE
• In Shrek there are parodies of Flatley’s Lord
of the Dance, and of The Matrix, and of
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and of Men
in Tights.
• Since four of the Shrek illustrators studied at
Notre Dame, there is also a parody of that
university, in the buildings, and in the name
“Farquaad,” which is an allusion to a distant
quad at Notre Dame University. The full name
is “University of Notre Dame DuLac.”
What do you think
the purpose and
audience are for
Shrek?
History of fairytales
• Fairytales were originally meant for adults;
• They were invented during a time when
people believed in things such as witches,
ogres, giants and trolls;
• Eventually they were altered to remove
violence so they could be told to children;
• Now they often include a “moral” or a
lesson for children to remember;
Fairytales
• When was the last time you heard a
traditional fairytale?
• In pairs write down as many fairytales as
you can think of – you MUST be able to
remember the story!
• Compile the list as a whole class
• Remember 5 key events from the fairytale
you are given (tableaux)
We’re fairytale experts then!
•
•
•
•
•
•
What makes a fairytale?
What types of words are used?
What characters are typical?
What locations/places might appear?
What usually happens?
Any words or phrases you might expect?
Create a fairytale mindmap
Traditional fairy tales
Traditional representation
Prince
The Hero: Tall, dark handsome,
brave, noble, charming, represents
good.
Princess
The damsel: beautiful, weak,
feminine, no common sense,
marries Prince, represents good.
Ogres/giants/trolls
/Dragons
The baddie: inhuman, animal like,
eats humans, male, represents evil.
Castle
Desired: beautiful, luxurious,
civilised, happy, home of good
people.
Swamp/barren
place
Detested: dirty, uncivilised,
unwelcoming, home of evil.
Evidence from fairy tales
Writing task
• Write at least a paragraph about traditional fairy tales.
• You need to write about:
• How Princes and ogres/giants are represented in
traditional fairy stories
• Explain what the ogre does in the story of Jack and
Beanstalk
• Talk about what the Prince does in Snow White and
the seven dwarves
• Pay particular attention to how they are
REPRESENTED
The Opening
While we watch the opening again, think about:
• Why might viewers be surprised?
• What does the beginning of the film suggest?
• How will this fit in with “traditional” fairy stories?
• How does the film parody Disney?
The Opening
While we watch the opening again, think about:
• Why might viewers be surprised?
• What does the beginning of the film suggest?
• How will this fit in with “traditional” fairy stories?
• How does the film parody Disney?
Shrek’s character: The Beginning
The film opens with a
book containing a fairy
story, making us think
that is what we are
about to experience.
The camera angle and
the action is almost
identical to Sleeping
Beauty.
The music in the
background is old
fashioned, classical and
traditional, we assume
the film will be the
same.
Shrek’s character: The Beginning
The story contains
typical fairy tale phrases
such as “once upon a
time” and “happily ever
after”.
Shrek’s character: The Beginning
The characters in the
story are Princes, ogres,
dragons and
Princesses, just like
traditional fairy tales.
But then…
Shrek’s character: The Beginning
Suddenly the book is
torn up by a dirty great
big GREEN hand!
The viewer starts to
think this might NOT be
such a traditional story;
it’s almost like the
makers are “ripping up
the rule book”.
Shrek’s character: The Beginning
The music changes
abruptly to modern
music
An ugly green ogre
appears from an
outhouse, traditional
fairy stories are
banished to only “toilet
reading”!?
The message to the audience: SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG!
Shrek’s character: The Beginning
His habitat is not inhospitable or ugly: it is very
domesticated and “homely”.
Activity: How many things in this long shot can you spot which
you would not expect to see in a traditional ogre’s swamp?
Shrek’s character: The Beginning
The ogre also seems
pretty civilised, doing
daily cleansing rituals,
this is making him
appear like a human
being.
Shrek’s character: The Beginning
How is Shrek being
presented as a human
and not as an animal in
this shot?
Shrek’s character: The Beginning
He is now painting, not
just a human thing, but
a cultured, refined,
educated human trait.
Message to the audience: this is NOT going to be a
traditional fairy story!
Write a paragraph about the
opening of the film
Cover these points:
•
•
•
•
How is it different to a conventional fairy tale?
How does the story parody Disney?
Why are the viewers surprised?
What does such an opening suggest?
You could use some of these phrases:
• The film Shrek opens with…
• Viewers are surprised because…
• The beginning of the film suggests that…
The Storybook Characters
While we watch the part with Shrek and the
storybook characters again, think about:
• What Shrek threatens to do to them
• What he does to frighten them
• How the storybook characters react to him
• What this suggests about Shrek
• Why the viewers might be confused about
Shrek
The Storybook Characters
While we watch the part with Shrek and the
storybook characters again, think about:
• What Shrek threatens to do to them
• What he does to frighten them
• How the storybook characters react to him
• What this suggests about Shrek
• Why the viewers might be confused about
Shrek
Shrek’s Character: A Terrifying Ogre?
The storybook
characters call Shrek an
“it” and a “thing”
They are clearly very
scared whispering he
will “grind your bones
for it’s bread”
The audience is now confused: this seems totally different to the
character we have just been introduced to
Shrek’s Character: A Terrifying Ogre?
Notice the high angle
shot that makes the
characters look small
and powerless
The reaction of the
storybook characters to
Shrek’s arrival shows
him as a terrifying beast
Shrek’s Character: A Terrifying Ogre?
Shrek tries to scare
them by saying he will
“shave your liver and
make jelly from your
eyes!”
In this shot, Shrek fills
the camera. This
emphasises his size.
Shrek’s Character: A Terrifying Ogre?
The storybook
characters run away
screaming because
Shrek is SO scary
Message to the audience: maybe this ogre is evil and nasty
How is Shrek shown as a typical ogre
with the storybook characters?
Cover these points:
•
•
•
•
What Shrek threatens to do to them
What Shrek does to frighten them
How the storybook chracters react
How the camera shows Shrek as intimidating and the
characters as small
• What this suggests about Shrek
You could use these phrases:
• When the storybook characters arrive…
• Shrek seems like a traditional ogre because…
Shrek’s Characters
One of the main ways the makers of Shrek turn
the Disney genre on its head is the depiction of
two of the main characters: Lord Farquaad and
Shrek.
While the traditional fairytale prince is tall, brave,
handsome and kind, Farquaad is short, evil and
cowardly.
Shrek, the ogre is, on the other hand, brave, kind
and funny: the opposite to traditional fairytales.
Write a short paragraph putting this in your own
words.
Donkey and Shrek Meet
Watch the part where Shrek and Donkey
meet again. Pay attention to:
• How donkey responds to Shrek
• Why donkey laughs at Shrek
• How does donkey irritate Shrek?
• What Donkey’s behaviour suggests about
Shrek’s apparent appearance as a
“terrifying ogre”?
Shrek’s Character: Meeting Donkey
Shrek roars at donkey
and tries to intimidate
him, just like he did with
the storybook
characters earlier
But Donkey isn’t scared
and just ridicules Shrek
about his bad breath!
Shrek’s Character: Meeting Donkey
Shrek then just walks away. Why is this? Shouldn’t he
“shave [Donkey’s] liver and make jelly from [his] eyes”? We
are starting to question Shrek’s depiction as an evil
character
Shrek’s Character: Meeting Donkey
Shrek assumes Donkey
hasn’t realised just how
terrified he must be so
actually TELLS Donkey
he is an ogre and
suggests it should
“bother” him
Shrek’s Character: Meeting Donkey
Shrek fails to stop
Donkey, even though he
is clearly irritated by him
Shrek’s Character: Meeting Donkey
Shrek’s inability to stop
Donkey bouncing on his
chair or appearing at the
window suggests he
isn’t such a terrifying
ogre after all
Write a about what we learn of
Shrek when he meets Donkey
Cover these points:
•
•
•
•
How does Donkey respond to Shrek?
How Donkey repeatedly irritates Shrek
What Donkey’s behaviour suggests about this ogre
How does Shreks reaction to being tormented show about
his character?
You could use these phrases:
• When Donkey approaches, Shrek roars at him and tries to
intimidate him. Donkey is not frightened and…
• We become sure that the character of Shrek
• The behaviour of the Donkey tell viewers that Shrek…
Shrek’s Character: Visit to Duloc
Watch the part where Shrek and Donkey
visit Duloc one more time.
• How does Donkey think Shrek should get his
swamp back?
• What Shrek threatens to do to the villagers
• What this suggests about Shrek’s character
Shrek’s Character: Visit to Duloc
Donkey often argues
with Shrek and
suggests he “pulls some
of that ogre stuff” to sort
out the problem. He
thinks Shrek is too soft!
Shrek’s Character: Visit to Duloc
Shrek asks Donkey if he should “decapitate an entire village […] cut
open their spleens […]”, all this while eating vegetables! Viewers
don’t feel Shrek is capable of this even if he wanted to.
Donkey’s constant
arguing with Shrek
portrays him as not
even vaguely
frightening.
How does Shrek’s character
develops after the Duloc visit?
Make sure you include:
• How Donkey thinks Shrek should get his Swamp back
• What Shrek threatens to do to the villagers
• What the scene suggests about Shrek’s character
You could use these phrases:
• Shrek and Donkey visit Duloc to try and reclaim Shrek’s
swamp from Lord Farquaad. Donkey thinks that Shrek is
too kind and should not have to ask, as the swamp
belongs to him anyway. Donkey tells Shrek…
• As the film progresses we learn that Shrek…
Duloc
While we watch the visit to Duloc, think about:
 How Duloc resembles Disneyland;
 How Shrek treats Duloc/Disneyland;
 How the music and camera work add to the
parody.
Visit to Duloc
Lancelot is the name
of the car park at
Disney
Headquarters.
Visit to Duloc
How does the castle
appear? How is it
shot?
Visit to Duloc
The guard, wearing a
mask, runs all the way
through the rope
queue system.
Here the film parodies
the twisting queues at
Disneyland.
Visit to Duloc
Shrek just marches
straight through. Does this
symbolise the film’s
attitude to Disney?
Visit to Duloc
The guard is knocked
unconscious. Does this
represent what Shrek is
doing to Disney?
Visit to Duloc
Duloc has a turnstile
system. The audience is
being forced to realise that
the castle represents
something else.
Visit to Duloc
Another attack on
Disney: Ye Olde
Souvenir Shop.
Visit to Duloc
The music here is
reminiscent of “It’s a
Small World” at
Disneyland.
Visit to Duloc
Another feature of
Disney: Photos of the
rides.
Visit to Duloc
Shrek warns Donkey he will get
“a smacked bottom”: Could this
be a allusion to all of the parents
driven mad by the Disney
experience?
Write about:
 How Shrek makes it apparent that Duloc represents Disney studios and
Disneyland;
 The way Duloc/Disney is depicted as a place designed to force people to
be happy within limits and spend money;
 How the film uses sound (the Small World theme) and camera angles
(the imposing shot of the castle) to parody Disney;
 What the overall impression of Duloc tells us about Disney (money
hungry, soulless, organised poorely etc);
 How Shrek’s actions show the filmmakers’ attitude to Disney.
You could use these phrases:
 Having shown the viewer that the film is not a usual Disney style
animated feature, the makers of Shrek use a visit to Duloc to parody…
 The visit to Duloc uses humour to parody Disney…
 Shrek’s attitude to Duloc mirrors the attitude of…
 The mise en scene is interesting in this shot as the viewer can pick up
numerous parodies and jokes such as…
Shrek’s Character: Princess Fiona
Watch the first few moments when Shrek
and Fiona meet, look at these aspects:
• How he greets the Princess
• How she responds
• Why Shrek doesn’t slay the dragon
• His attitude to Donkey
• What this shows about his character
Shrek’s Character: Princess Fiona
Shrek shakes Princess
Fiona awake saying
abruptly “wake up now,
let’s go”. Shrek isn’t
interested in being her
Prince Charming.
Shrek’s Character: Princess Fiona
Poor Fiona is
disappointed there is no
romantic moment,
expecting the fairy tale
Shrek’s Character: Princess Fiona
Even though he has been
trying to get rid of Donkey
he goes back to rescue
him from the dragon,
referring to Donkey as
“his ass”.
This is a brave thing to
do, very un-ogre like, he
is behaving like a hero.
Write about what we learn of Shrek
when he rescues Princess Fiona
Include:
• How he greets the Princess
• About how she responds and what this suggests
• Talk about the reason Shrek gives for not slaying the
dragon
• What him rescuing Donkey shows about Shrek and his
relationship with this character
Phrases you could use:
• When Shrek breaks in to the castle he acts like an ogre
when…
• Although Shrek appears violent, we learn he has failed
to slay the dragon because…
Princess Fiona
As we watch a section involving Princess
Fiona again, think about:
 How she is different to a traditional
fairytale character;
 Why the creators of Shrek have chosen to
portray princess Fiona in this fashion;
 How this signals that Shrek is a more
modern fairytale.
Princess Fiona
Write a paragraph about how Princess Fiona
is not a typical Disney Princess. Think about:
 How she fights Robin Hood;
 Her appearance;
 Her transformation at the end
 Her sense of humour/habits (burping etc);
 Her attitude (not weak willed, submissive Disney
princess);
 Try to mention mise en scene, sound and camera
angles if you can.
Camera shots
There is a CLOSE UP
shot of his mouth, giving
the impression he is
going to eat them
Camera shots
This is a LOW ANGLE
shot to make Shrek
appear like he is
intimidating the soldiers
Camera shots
Close up shots show the
characters emotions
when Shrek and Fiona
are falling in love
Angled and close up shots
The low angle shot
makes Shrek and Donkey
look unimportant in
comparison to Lord
Farquaad
Mid-angle shots
This mid-angle shot
shows that both Shrek
and Donkey are on an
equal footing.
Mid-angle shots
This shot shows that
these two characters are
“on the same level”.
They are connecting.
Camera shots
This shot shows Shrek’s
isolation from the other
characters
Camera shots
Earlier on when Shrek
was trying to put up
barriers to his friendship
with Donkey he also
turned his back
Lord Farquaad’s Evil Side
• Watch again the scenes when Lord
Farquaad tortures the gingerbread man
Look in particular at:
• How he is introduced to the audience
• His taunting of the gingerbread man
• What he does with the gingerbread man’s
buttons
• Where he throws him
Lord Farquaad’s Evil Side
The marching music
makes the atmosphere
tense and suggests a
battle
The first shot of Lord
Farquaad is of his hands,
showing he “means
business”
Lord Farquaad’s Evil Side
He throws the
gingerbread man in the
bin. HE is behaving like
a monster.
Lord Farquaad is really
enjoying torturing the
gingerbread man and
taunts him too before
going to pluck off his
“buttons”
Write about how Lord Farquaad is
presented in the torture scene
Write about:
• What a traditional fairytale prince is like;
• Why Lord Farquaad is shown to be an evil character
(reverse the traditional fairytale);
• How he is introduced to the audience;
• What his treatment of the gingerbread man shows about his
character;
• Then write three sentences about your impressions of Lord
Farquaad so far;
Some phrases you might use:
• When we first meet Lord Farquaad there is marching
music…
• In contrast to Shrek, Lord Farquaad is cruel. He
watches the torture of the Gingerbread Man and then…
Lord Farquaad’s Evil Side Continued
He uses very formal
language “Beautiful fair
flower Fiona will you be
the perfect bride for the
perfect groom?”
When he comes for
Princess Fiona Lord
Farquaad changes
abruptly from the man we
saw torturing the
Gingerbread man.
Lord Farquaad’s Evil Side Continued
At the end Lord Farquaad
orders the guards to “get
THAT out of my sight!”
and then still proclaims
himself as King
Write about Lord Farquaad’s evil side
• Lord Farquaad is all set to marry Princess Fiona,
until he sees that when the sun sets she…
• Lord Farquaad speaks to her in a cruel way and
orders his knights to “get THAT out of my sight”.
Lord Farquaad calls off the wedding, but he still
proclaims ...
• Lord Farquaad is deceptive because he should
only become King…
• It is clear that Lord Farquaad does not love the
Princess, but agrees to marriage because he
wants…