Shrek is considered one of the most notable animated films of the 21st century. The secret to this film’s success lies in its humorous characters and dialogue. The film also offers a deeper meaning.

Introduction to Shrek

Initially, Shrek lives peacefully in his swamp, enjoying himself. Then one day, a group of villagers ambush him and attack him. They arrive with torches and shovels to drive him out of his home. When the villagers first see Shrek, they are terrified. They believe Shrek will tear them apart for food. Shrek further intensifies their fear by approaching them and declaring that he is an ogre and will treat them like ogres. He promises to squeeze the jelly from their eyes, drink their blood, and use their skin to make suits for himself. Hearing this, the villagers tell him to retreat. The villagers then hunt Shrek and leave him in the city. The film then shows how the townspeople bring fairy tale creatures for money. The townspeople would cart the creatures away from the city and leave them in Shrek’s swamp. Shrek was also brought to the rural swamp in a similar manner, but now he was back in the city.

Shrek’s Visit to Duloc

The film shows that when Shrek felt lonely, he would go to Donkey to talk. Often, they would go to Duloc while talking. There, they both seemed different. Duloc was inhabited by white cisgender people, who were very afraid of the creatures.

Meeting Lord Farquaad

When Shrek and Donkey entered Duloc, they saw Lord Farquaad for the first time. At that time, Lord Farquaad was organizing a competition in the arena. This competition was organized so that the winner would be tasked with protecting Princess Fiona. He would marry the princess and become king of that kingdom. Lord Farquaad is presented as a white, cisgender man, thus promoting masculinity. Shrek then enters the arena, causing a commotion. Shrek had gone to the arena to meet Lord Farquaad. Lord Farquaad changes the competition and announces that whoever kills the ogre will be tasked with rescuing Fiona and marrying her. Several of Lord Farquaad’s knights then arrive to defeat Shrek, and Shrek defeats them all. Shrek then agrees to save Fiona in exchange for his swamp. Shrek and his friend Donkey then return. On the way, Donkey asks Shrek why he didn’t attack Lord Farquaad and the townspeople to save his swamp. Shrek gives the example that Shrek is like an onion, hard on the outside and soft on the inside. Similarly, we, as Shrek, are huge on the outside but gentle on the inside. We don’t attack anyone without fear. “I didn’t suspect Lord Farquaad of fear, that’s why I didn’t attack him,” Shrek concludes the conversation.

Shrek and Donkey then successfully retrieve the princess. At this point, it is revealed that Princess Fiona is a white Cinderella woman. When Shrek rescues the princess, he wears a helmet. Shrek wore the helmet so that the princess would not be afraid of him and agree to go with him. When the princess escapes the palace, she demands Shrek remove his helmet. Shrek persistently refuses. Finally, Shrek gives in and takes off his helmet, and Fiona is surprised but not upset. Previously, when white people saw Shrek, they were terrified. However, this did not happen with Fiona, leading to a healthy relationship between Shrek and Fiona.

Following this, Fiona tells Shrek about her curse, which turns her into an ogre at night and a human during the day. Fiona convinces Shrek and Donkey to stay at sunset and hides from them. Fiona fears that she might be frightened by his ogre form at night. Shrek and Donkey then discuss how to protect their swamp after Fiona is handed over to Lord Farquhar. Shrek tells Donkey that he will build a large wall around his swamp and keep Fiona there. Donkey scolds Shrek, asking why he wants to keep Fiona away from his people. Shrek becomes disappointed.

Fiona and Shrek’s Love

While Shrek is bringing Fiona back, they fall in love. Donkey discovers the princess’s cure and tells Fiona about it. Fiona tells Donkey not to tell Shrek about the cure. Shrek overhears this and believes Fiona is telling Donkey that Shrek will not be accepted by her community and that she cannot accept him. The next day, Shrek hands Fiona over to Lord Farquaad for marriage and returns to his swamp. He is saddened by the fact that he is an ogre and cannot be loved. The next day, Donkey reveals to Shrek the truth about Fiona’s curse and the cure, and also reveals that Fiona loves him. Shrek and Donkey then set out to stop Fiona’s marriage to Lord Farquaad. While the wedding is underway, Shrek barges in and expresses his objection to the wedding. This leaves everyone stunned and mocking him for confessing his love to Fiona, a white woman. Fiona then reveals her curse to Shrek. They kiss, which unexpectedly activates Fiona’s curse, turning her into an ogress. The two are then married, and a dragon eats Lord Farquaad. Shrek and Fiona then return to their swamp.