Shrek – An analysis The Hero’s Journey
The Hero’s Journey Known vs. unknown A ‘regular’ person Call to Adventure Gatekeepers/Threshold Road of Trials Death of Fear Transformation Integration 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 creates invade his swamp, our hero visits the Lord Farqud and is given his “quest.”
Gatekeepers-Threshold Donkey acts as the “Gatekeeper” – he’s trying to convince Shrek not to go on the quest. Shrek, however, reveals he ‘has layers’ – which introduces to the reader that there is also an ‘inner quest.’
Road of Trials Shrek, with his companion Donkey, embark on the quest. Shrek now has various challenges to overcome in order to finish the quests, both the inner quest and the outer quest.
Road of Trials – The Physical Challenges Rescuing Donkey from the Lake of Lava
Road of Trials – The Physical Challenges Rescuing Donkey from the Dragon!
Road of Trials – The Physical Challenges Finding the Princess
Road of Trials – The Physical Challenges Fighting of Robbers and Kidnappers
Road of Trials – The Physical Challenges Being shot with an arrow.
Road of Trials – The Internal Challenges. Letting the Princess see what he really looks like.
Road of Trials – The Internal Challenges. Confronting the pain he feels inside.
Road of Trials – The Internal Challenges. Starting to reveal his deepest fear!
Realizing his deepest fear!
Road of Trials – The Internal Challenges. But then Donkey helps Shrek to understand his fears. This revelation helps Shrek to proceed and eventually complete the Hero’s Journey.