Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Deconstruct An Epic Hero


Shrek!

Departure:
  • Shrek is called to help Fiona out of a dark castle by the king.
  • He doesn't want to go because he is an ogre and very selfish. Shrek has no choice but to rescue the princess when his castle is taken by the king.
  • He acquires a magical donkey who can speak. This donkey keeps his journey interesting and slowly changes Shrek.
  • Shrek leaves his swamp with donkey. He goes through a forest full of evils. He has never been to this part of the forest.
  • He finally gets to where Fiona is being held. In order to get to a castle, he as to cross a dangerous bridge. He could turn back or he could risk his life to save her, a stranger. He goes forth and risks his life in the process.
Inititation
  • Shrek willing to risk his life for her is part of the initiation.
  • A dragon is even guarding the entrance
  • Donkey is in danger and again Shrek risks his own life to help donkey
  • Shrek finally defeats dragon and meets the princess
  • Along the way back home, Shrek and Fiona fall for each other.
  • They face obstacles along the way that enable them to bond.
  • One day, Shrek hears Fiona talking to Donkey about ogres. This is a dramatic irony because the audience knows Fiona is talking about herself, but Shrek assumes she is talking about him
  • He delivers her and refuses to talk things out
  • When he finally gets home back to his swamp, Donkey convinces him of his mistakes.
  • He goes back because he realizes how much he likes her and is willing to do anything for her, even go against the king
  • He changes from a selfish jerk to a caring person. This is the apotheosis of Shrek
Return
  • The boon is the girl. He set out to retrieve the girl, but he never thought he would stay with her. The boon is being reborn and being happy with the girl.
  • He changes from a jerk to a caring person because he chooses to love someone other than himself. In the beginning he doesn’t want to share his swamp with anyone. Now, he is willing to share it with Fiona and Donkey.


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