1. Shrek – An analysis
The Hero’s Journey

2. The Hero’s Journey Known vs. unknown A ‘regular’ person
Call to Adventure
Gatekeepers/Threshold
Road of Trials
Death of Fear
Transformation
Integration
Return

3. 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.

4. Call to Adventure
After the Fairy Tale creates invade his swamp, our hero visits the Lord Farqud and is given his “quest.”

5. 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.’

6. 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.

7. Road of Trials – The Physical Challenges
Rescuing Donkey from the Lake of Lava

8. Road of Trials – The Physical Challenges
Rescuing Donkey from the Dragon!

9. Road of Trials – The Physical Challenges
Finding the Princess

10. Road of Trials – The Physical Challenges
Fighting of Robbers and Kidnappers

11. Road of Trials – The Physical Challenges
Being shot with an arrow.

12. Road of Trials – The Internal Challenges.
Letting the Princess see
what he really looks like.

13. Road of Trials – The Internal Challenges.
Confronting the pain he feels inside.

14. Road of Trials – The Internal Challenges.
Starting to reveal his deepest fear!

15. Realizing his deepest fear!

16. 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.