Shrek – An analysis

The Hero’s Journey

DO NOW

IN YOUR OWN WORDS, define the following terms that we have learned and seen in our reading:•Epic hero:•Epic poem:•Character trait:•Flaw:•Guile:

The Hero’s Journey

• Known vs. unknown• A ‘regular’ person

– The Steps

• Call to Adventure• Threshold• Challenges• Abyss: Death of Fear• Transformation/Revelation• Atonement• Return

A ‘regular’ person…”I’m an Ogre”

• As the story begins, Shrek is living in his swamp, wanting to be left alone, and generally disliked by all, but he’s gotten used to it. And then Donkey comes into his life.

Call to Adventure

• After the Fairy Tale creatures invade his swamp, our hero visits the Lord Farquad and is given his “quest.”

• Invites adventure, offers the opportunity to face the unknown, and gain physical or spiritual value

Threshold

• Shrek chooses to go on the adventure in order to evade death from the king’s men.

• "Jumping off point" for the adventure

• The line between the known and unknown

Challenges

• Shrek, with his companion Donkey, embark on the quest. Shrek now has various challenges to overcome in order to finish the quest.

Challenges continued…

• Path is beset with danger, temptation, and loneliness, fear and doubt

• Hero begins to mature

• Challenges strike the hero’s greatest weakness

The Physical Challenges

Rescuing Donkey from the Bridge over Lava

The Physical Challenges

Finding the Princess

The Physical Challenges

Rescuing Donkey from the Dragon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-N8CfNEErA&safe=active

The Physical Challenges

Fighting of Robbers and Kidnappers

The Physical Challenges

Being shot with an arrow.

The Internal Challenges

Letting the Princess seewhat he really looks like.

The Internal Challenges

Confronting the pain he feels inside.

The Internal Challenges

Starting to reveal his deepest fear!

Realizing his deepest fear!

STAND UP IF….

• You can tell us the difference between a physical challenge and an internal challenge!

The Abyss

• Shrek and Fiona part ways angrily.

• Shrek realizes that he and Fiona are in love and are meant to be. He will fight to be with the one he loves.

• The greatest challenge that must be faced alone

He stops the wedding!

The Transformation and Revelation• Shrek realizes that true

love knows no boundaries and everyone deserves to find their true love.

• He comes to accept himself by realizing Fiona’s true beauty.

Continued…

• Hero has conquered Abyss

• Dramatic change in the way the hero views life and the hero realizes the attained goal is symbolic

Atonement

• They get married!

• Hero is "at-one" with new self

The Return

• Shrek, Fiona and Donkey return to the forest and swamp to live.

• Return to everyday life

Happily Ever After

Let’s recap QUICKLY!!!

• Get into a circle quickly and quietly!

• You need nothing but yourselves and your smiling faces.

How will you break down your hero’s journey?

• Let’s practice with another example!

• PIECE IT TOGETHER in the order of a Hero’s Journey!!!

• Be prepared to share with the class.

HONORS

• As you place each chunk of the story in its corresponding stage of the Hero’s Journey, write a brief explanation of why you have placed it there.