Todorov and Vladimir's theroies- Bush

Shrek

The film I am going to be analysing is “Shrek”. it is an animated comedy film. This film fits both narrative theories by Todorov and Vladimir. It is also a film which uses the linear pattern, progresses forward towards a resolution

Todorvo’s theory is divided into three parts, equilibrium, disequilibrium and the new equilibrium. Shrek starts of with its equilibrium of an ogre with the name Shrek living happily in his swamp, having fun scaring of the local humans who are trying to kill him because of what he is. He lives is an existing state of harmony.

This is soon disturbed by the disequilibrium, when Lord Farquaad forces all magical creatures into his swamp. We can tell this is going to happen as there is a build up towards it when we see Lord Fakwars troops gathering up all magical creatures and putting them into cages. This is also when Shrek meets Donkey. Also at this point of the film is when the action codes are being introduced as we know the small importance of each scene develops into the rest of the film This unfortunate event leads to a chain of events involving conflicts as Shrek goes to see Lord to get his swamped cleared, here he makes his deal with Lord to rescues the princess Fiona and bring her to him. The disequilibrium follows Shrek through out most of the film as he goes on his quest (with donkey) to save the Fiona. During his quest to bring her back we see the disequilibrium evolve as we see Shrek and Fiona start to fall in love this use of enigma codes as we don’t know what will happen with their relationship, however Shrek still hands her to Lord Farquaad and returns home to his cleared swamp. This point in the film we believe that the film will end on this sad note, that Shrek and Fiona will not be together however another turn of events and Shrek realises that he needs to tell Fiona how he feels, this realisation happens because of Donkey. This here is the use of an action code. The climax of the film is when Shrek storms in and confesses his love to Fiona, as he finishes Lord Farquaad gets angry and arrest both Fiona and Shrek. We also discover the reason Fiona didn’t want to travel at night during the journey back in the film, again we see the enigma code revelling itself; because she is an ogre herself.

The new equilibrium is followed as the dragon which was seen during the film (another enigma code) eats Lord Farquaad and the evil forces are defeated, the conflict is resolved and harmony exists once more with Shrek and Fiona getting married.

Shrek also follows Vladimir’s theory to a certain extent. His theory was co founded by looking at the roles of characters in Russian fairytales. These roles consisted of

·         The Villain

·         The Donor

·         The Helper

·         The Princess

·         The Hero

·         The Dispatcher

·         The False Hero

Shrek consist of all of the following roles of characters

·         The Villain- Lord Farquaad

·         The Donor- Donkey

·         The Helper-Donkey

·         The Princess- Princess Fiona

·         The Hero-Shrek

·         The Dispatcher- Lord

·         The False Hero

However one character plays more than one role, for example Donkey. He plays the Helper as he assists the Hero; Shrek on the quest to save the Princess; Fiona. Also Lord Farquaad is another character which consists of two roles as he is the one who send Shrek on the quest he is the Dispatcher, but also the evil villain as he tried to kill him.