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Shrek Hero's Journey Analysis

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“The Hero’s Journey is a pattern of narrative that appears in drama, storytelling, myth, religious ritual, and psychological development” defined by American scholar Joseph Campbell. In all stories, there is some version of this “pattern of narrative”. In these stories a hero usually goes on a journey that changes them is some way. This idea of a “hero’s journey” is portrayed in the movie Shrek. In this movie the main character Shrek, a grumpy and lonely ogre has his land taken over by Lord Farquaad to be used as a fairytale creature refugee. To get his land back, he goes on a journey to rescue a trapped princess named Fiona for Lord Farquaad. Along doing so, Shrek faces several challenges which transformed Shrek. By the end, Shrek is no longer grumpy and lonely but has family and friends. He also falls in love with Fiona which proves to be a challenge. Shrek’s journey and transformation to get his swap back demonstrate the hero’s journey and it’s three main stages the Departure, the Initiation, and the Return.
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The first part of the initiation is the test and ordeals, challenges that force the hero to grow both mentally and physically. There are many test and ordeals that Shrek faces along his journey. One of the biggest tests that Shrek was faced with was when Shrek had to battle the fire-breathing dragon to rescue Fiona to get his swap back. After rescuing Fiona they slowly fall in love with each other and Shrek eventually has to stop Fiona from marrying Lord Farquaad because of his love for her. This is known as the Abyss where the hero faces his/her toughest challenge mentally of physical. This is very hard for Shrek because he is not an affectionate person and is usually very solitary. After rescuing Fiona, they kiss and Shrek is now a new person. He is no longer lonely, grumpy and inhospitable. Instead, he is loved and loving and he learned how to show

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