Heroes Journey for Shrek
Stage in the Hero's Journey
Film Component
Ordinary World
The hero's normal world before the story begins
The woods,The country. He's an ogre and everyone hates him. He wants to be alone.
Call to Adventure
The hero is presented with a problem, challenge or adventure to undertake
Lord Farquaad sends fairy tale creatures to Shrek's swamp, so he leaves the swamp to go to Lord Farquaad. To get his swamp back, he has to rescue the princess Fiona
Refusal of the Call
The hero refuses the challenge or journey, usually out of fear
He doesn't refuse.
Meeting with the Mentor
The hero meets a mentor to gain confidence, advice or training to face the adventure
Shrek meets Donkey, who is a trickster mentor. Donkey loves to talk. He teaches Shrek through humor.
Crossing the First Threshold
The hero crosses the gateway that separates the ordinary world from the special world
When he first goes to Farquaad, the king orders his men to kill Shrek. Whoever kills him gets a chance to rescue the princess. Shrek kills all the men. Farquaad wants to marry the princess so he'll be king, so he tells Shrek if he can rescue the princess he'll get the swamp back.
Tests, Allies, Enemies
The hero faces tests, meets allies, confronts enemies & learn the rules of the Special World.
Tests: the Donkey is a test because he drives Shrek crazy; fighting Farquaad's men is a test; Rescuing the princess from the dragon; his ugliness is a test because people make fun of him, like Fiona says "How could someone like someone so ugly? Pretty and ogre don't go together." Shrek thinks she's talking about him. Farquaad is an enemy because he only wants the princess.
Approach
The hero has hit setbacks during tests & may need to reorganize his helpers or rekindle morale with mentor's rally cry. Stakes heightened.
Shrek overhears Donkey and Fiona
Film Component
Ordinary World
The hero's normal world before the story begins
The woods,The country. He's an ogre and everyone hates him. He wants to be alone.
Call to Adventure
The hero is presented with a problem, challenge or adventure to undertake
Lord Farquaad sends fairy tale creatures to Shrek's swamp, so he leaves the swamp to go to Lord Farquaad. To get his swamp back, he has to rescue the princess Fiona
Refusal of the Call
The hero refuses the challenge or journey, usually out of fear
He doesn't refuse.
Meeting with the Mentor
The hero meets a mentor to gain confidence, advice or training to face the adventure
Shrek meets Donkey, who is a trickster mentor. Donkey loves to talk. He teaches Shrek through humor.
Crossing the First Threshold
The hero crosses the gateway that separates the ordinary world from the special world
When he first goes to Farquaad, the king orders his men to kill Shrek. Whoever kills him gets a chance to rescue the princess. Shrek kills all the men. Farquaad wants to marry the princess so he'll be king, so he tells Shrek if he can rescue the princess he'll get the swamp back.
Tests, Allies, Enemies
The hero faces tests, meets allies, confronts enemies & learn the rules of the Special World.
Tests: the Donkey is a test because he drives Shrek crazy; fighting Farquaad's men is a test; Rescuing the princess from the dragon; his ugliness is a test because people make fun of him, like Fiona says "How could someone like someone so ugly? Pretty and ogre don't go together." Shrek thinks she's talking about him. Farquaad is an enemy because he only wants the princess.
Approach
The hero has hit setbacks during tests & may need to reorganize his helpers or rekindle morale with mentor's rally cry. Stakes heightened.
Shrek overhears Donkey and Fiona