Fiona's True Love In The Film Shrek

Fairy tales have existed for years, some starting as oral stories for decades before ever being recorded on paper. These tales continue to hold an importance in the present such that they reflect the changes in time and progression of thought and ideas. Over time, many fairy tales are retold for various reasons including reforming them to be used for new audiences to make the story more relatable or to convey a different point of view to various specific audiences. This can be seen in various renditions; Andrew Anderson’s Shrek can be compared to Steig’s “Shrek!” and Perrault’s “Sleeping Beauty in the Wood” and evaluated as a retelling of either based on specific criteria. Although some may argue that William Steig’s “Shrek!” appears more closely similar to Anderson’s Shrek, as evaluated from the presence of similar characters, general plot structure, and targeted audience, the movie Shrek is more closely a retelling of Charles Perrault’s “Sleeping Beauty in the Wood.”

Disney films over their course of existence have hidden double meanings in many of the films they produce. Rather if you are a child or a full pledged adult, people from all different ages can receive a bit of advice when it comes to what Disney films try to convey in their motion pictures. Disney is also to be known for some of their unforgettable whimsical characters and memorable songs in every film. The film released in 2009 “The Princess and The Frog” is no different. Especially when it comes to Mama’s Odie’s musical number half way through the film. Mama’s Odie’s song, “Dig a Little Deeper” is full of metaphors, themes and imagery one can deeply analyze.

Nowadays, when we hear Shrek we think of him as an icon of the internet. In a world where appearances seem to be societies focus, Shrek 2 reminds us that looks are fleeting, but what is on the inside is what is important. Shrek 2 is a movie written in 2014 that follows the main character, Shrek an ogre, on his journey in the kingdom, Far Far Away as he tries to acquire the approval of his wife’s, Fiona also an ogre, parents which are the human king and queen of Far Far Away. Overwhelming, the movie is able to depict a fantastic children’s romantic fairytale by teaching a life lesson in the use a medieval style with numerous references to pop culture and iconic soundtrack.

Lord Farquaad has prejudice against magical creatures. This is shown when he has ordered that the magical creatures be exiled to the forest. This action also illustrates the discrimination that the magical creatures experienced due to Lord Farquaad’s personal prejudices. The magical creatures were showed to be treated like criminals, taken into carts and placed in cages. Furthermore, Lord Farquaad also has prejudice against ogres. He identifies and calls Shrek as “it”, connoting that he thinks of himself as superior to an ogre like Shrek. And when Fiona first meets Farquaad, she was explaining that she is just saying goodbye to Shrek, Lord Farquaad told her not to waste time on Shrek because it doesn’t have any feelings. When Fiona turned into an ogre on her

It is universally understood that the means of such expression refer to a pair of lovers whose relationship is sabotaged by outside forces. It is seen as Shrek develops feelings for Fiona, and Fiona falls in love with Shrek. It is pretty odd because Shrek is a huge ogre and Fiona is just a tiny human princess, who was supposed to marry a prince. Even donkey mentions to Shrek that “She’s as nasty as you are.” Another quality they have in common. It is not the star-crossed lovers’ fairytale we are used to, but their feelings are so true and pure. What changes, is Fiona’s transformation into an ogre which makes things easier for the couple. The director uses pathos to appeal to the audience emotions and make them develop a connection between the complicated but true love both of these characters have developed.

Sleeping Beauty is culturally significant because it is told in many different ways and can reach a variety of people. From adults to children, many interpretations can be made depending on the version that is read or watched. The theme sexism can be found in Disney’s version while killing or cannibalism can be found In Perrault’s version. While children are watching Disney’s version, young girls could be exposed to sexism. Sexism is still a big problem in today 's society, and girls should not be exposed to a topic such as this at a young age. Many will have to deal with it while growing up and Disney is not helping by portraying the girl as helpless until a man comes along. This movie can have such a negative impact on todays society but it is still culturally significant. Perrault 's version is no better when it comes to representing

4. When Princess Fiona is rescued, she is the embodiment of a damsel-in-distress who was waiting for her "prince" to come rescue her. Later on in the film, she stands up for herself and does not wait to be rescued, breaking stereotypes based on sex and gender.

Picture a child sitting in front of a television watching the Wizard of Oz. To them, it is an assortment of magical beings, a land filled with wonderful places, with varieties of different colors. They do not picture it as something with far more meaning than just a plain fairytale. On the other hand, gender/feminist critics have been able to analyze the Wizard of Oz as well as Wicked, in order to find a more elaborate meaning behind the story itself. They have discussed what lies behind the story when it comes to the issue of sexism and masculinity towards the book itself as well as the characters. There are many concepts as well that help to further explain feminism and gender criticism. The four concepts that will be discussed

He ripped her from her family, would yell at her if she chooses not to entertain her and would manipulate her into thinking that he can’t live without her. “We have examples like Beauty and The Beast, where the argument was that this a strong and powerful woman, and why is she so strong and powerful? Because she’s reading a book… Well then reality is just pseudo feminism because ultimately in Beauty and The Beast she marries a batterer.”4 This movie is teaching our young girls that if a man treats you this way its ok, you can love someone even though they do not treat you the right way. Disney makes the woman seem sexy and seductive, like the princesses Ariel. Ariel is gorgeous with a curvy body, long hair and a voice to match.4 this makes our girls think about is this will look when they are older and if you look like Ursula who’s big and isn’t the ideal “beautiful” woman.5 Makes it seem as if that you happen to look like this you do not have the possibility of becoming a

Growing up, most people read fairytales such as “Cinderella” and “Little Red Riding Hood”. These stories set up some sort of expectation for what life will be like. However, fairytales are just as messed up as life. DreamWorks created the movie Shrek to make fun of fairytale’s social prejudge and idealism. Shrek uses reversal and irony to create a satire about the flaws of fairytales.

Fiona, starting out as a beautiful princess and turning into an ogre herself, gives the same example of gender representation as Shrek. One very interesting thing about her character in addition to her perfect behavior as a princess and expecting Prince Charming to rescue her, which represents her feminine character as typical, is her masculine characteristics that are much unexpected, such as burping and fighting like men when she gets attacked by Robin Hood and his men in the first movie. Also, the way in which she is scared that that Shrek would not like her as an ogre, is something that is unusual, however, shows some feminine aspects of society, such as being afraid for not being accepted or liked based on appearance. Her support towards Shrek in the second movie when she rather walks away and cry by herself, also underlines her femininity, through the scene of her Feminine speech where she is trying to encourage the good relationship between Shrek and her family, inviting everyone into conversation. Hence, her character displays the idea of a shift from masculine to feminine characteristics which clearly demonstrates that sometimes gender characteristics might shift according to personalities, and people should not really stereotype gender because it is relative to the individual. As far as

have to ask for his swamp to be returned to him. Donkey tells Shrek to

The portrayal of women, gender roles and stereotypes in Disney films has long been a controversial topic. Disney’s 1959 animated film, ‘Sleeping Beauty’, and Robert Stromberg’s 2014 live action remake, ‘Maleficent’, each provide a different take of Charles Perrault’s 1697 fairy tale, ‘La Belle au bois Dormant’ (‘The Sleeping Beauty’). The comparison of Aurora, one of the main characters from both films, brings into light the stark contrast in portrayals of gender roles as well as physical ideals and stereotypes in women. Emphasis or lack thereof on physical characteristics and gender representation from both texts challenge and reflect ideals and stereotypes that are impactful to the audience.

Beauty’s role in beauty and the beast glorifies her as a sweet girl who can find light in any darkness. She prefers to move forward in life rather than sulk in misery. Being such a positive female character allows her to fall in love with a man who is not of the society standards of handsome, name Beast. She was more intent on focusing on what he had to offer as a person. Karen Rowe states in “Feminism and Fairy Tales” “such alluring fantasies gloss the heroine's inability to act self-assertively, total reliance on external rescues, willing bondage to father and prince, and her restriction to hearth and nursery” (Rowe). The heroine being beauty in this case, doesn't have opinions or rights because her character wasn't created to. Rowe believes that fairytales have paved the way for our expectations towards what women and men should be doing and what romance is. Rowe argues that “These "domestic fictions" reduce fairy tales to sentimental clichés, while they continue to glamorize a heroine's traditional yearning for romantic love which culminates in marriage” (Rowe). Beauty’s character found herself in these “sentimental cliches” with her

`Shrek' is the ultimate fractured fairy tale, a film that manages to simultaneously honor and lampoon the conventions of its genre without becoming smug or condescending in the process. For while it is sardonic, `Shrek' is never cynical, so confident and assured are its makers in establishing and maintaining just the right tone for a revisionist exercise such as this one. The film certainly conveys a modern sensibility, yet it is a gentle sort of iconoclasm that allows us to enjoy the more conventional aspects of the story (the happily-ever-after ending, for example) even as we are laughing at the obvious absurdities contained within them.