Download ppt - The storybook characters

The storybook characters

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

The reaction of the storybook characters to Shrek’s arrival shows him as a terrifying beast


Shrek tries to scare them by saying he will “shave your liver and make jelly from your eyes!”


The storybook characters run away screaming because Shrek is SO scary

Message to the audience: maybe this ogre is evil and nasty


Write about how Shrek is 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 characters react?• What this suggests about Shrek?You could use these phrases:• When the storybook characters arrive…• Shrek seems like a traditional ogre

because…

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 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 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 fails to stop Donkey, even though he is clearly irritated by him


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 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…

• 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. Pay special attention to:

• 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

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 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.


Write a about how Shrek’s character develops after the Duloc

visitMake 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 characterYou 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…

Shrek’s character: Princess Fiona

• Watch again 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 shakes Princess Fiona awake saying abruptly “wake up now, let’s go”. Shrek isn’t interested in being her Prince Charming.


Poor Fiona is disappointed there is no romantic moment, expecting the fairy tale


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 characterPhrases 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…