Shrek Modern Day Fairy Tale

Shrek

Enc1102 Professor Frever
Word Count: 1,925

What is a fairy tale? In my own words, I would say a fairy tale is a made up story with imaginary characters and places. The definition of a fairy tale is “a children 's story about magical and imaginary beings and lands” as defined by Google, definition of fairy tale. What do fairy tales do for people? In my own words, I would say that fairy tales teach a moral lesson. According to Steiner, 1966, “Fairy tales help inculcate the norms of society into young minds consciously” (Qtd in, Biechonski). There are many fairy tale movies, and fairy tale books out these days, but only a few of those can be considered a real fairy tale according to the moral
With all four films people consider Shrek to be just a movie series; you must look at all of the films as a whole before you say anything about Shrek. I see Shrek as the fairy tale of all fairy tales.
Just look at the plot of the first Shrek, There is a big green ogre who lives in a swamp. Shrek saved a talking donkey one day from getting sold to Lord Farrquad. Donkey wouldn’t leave Shrek alone and went to his swamp to stay the night and when Shrek sat down for dinner that night he finds himself swamped with many fairy tale creatures that were put there by Lord Farrquad. This is a great set up for a fairy tale so far. Shrek sets off to get his swamp back from Lord Farrquad while Donkey goes along with him. Now this is where the story starts to build into an adventure. When they get to the Kingdome, Shrek agreed to set off on a quest
Shrek and Fiona had recently gotten married, they just got back from their honeymoon when people come from Far Far Away with a message for Fiona. Now this is where the story starts off on the right path for a fairy tale. Fiona’s parents are the King and Queen of the Kingdome of Far Far Away. They set out on another adventure to go visit Fiona’s parents. Shrek didn’t want to be there and Fiona’s father didn’t want his daughter to be married to an ogre. Now there is a conflict with some characters. The Fairy Godmother shows up one night at the Kingdome to talk with the king, she tells him that the deal they made long ago is off, if Fiona doesn’t marry her son Prince Charming. The Fairy Godmother and the king worked out a deal that he will get anything his heart desires only if Fiona marries Prince Charming. This is where the one lesson is taught about being selfish. So the King pays a talking cat, named Puss, to kill Shrek so Prince Charming can step in and marry her. This is the climax of the story where everything ties together. So in order for Shrek to be with Fiona he has to get back to the Kingdome to kiss Fiona once again. The end of the movie is once again a happily ever after ending. The true end to any fairy tale. The second film was filled with fantasy and magic, when Shrek and Fiona go to Far Far Away to see her parents, they pull up in a giant onion carriage, and pull up to a red carpet like some kind of Hollywood