Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey in the Animated Movie Shrek

Shrek, the animated movie released in 2001, is a beloved tale of an unlikely hero's journey. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, the film follows the story of an ogre named Shrek who sets out to rescue Princess Fiona from a dragon-guarded castle, with the help of his loyal friend Donkey. Shrek goes through all 12 stages of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, from the ordinary world to the return with the elixir. This essay will explore how Shrek's journey aligns with the Hero's Journey, how the hero deviates from the monomyth, the villains or monsters that the hero must vanquish, the role of the mentor, and whether the hero would have been successful on their own.

According to Joseph Campbell, the Hero's Journey consists of 12 stages that are common in myths and legends across cultures. These stages are the ordinary world, the call to adventure, refusal of the call, meeting the mentor, crossing the first threshold, tests, allies, and enemies, approach to the inmost cave, the ordeal, reward, the road back, resurrection, and the return with the elixir. Shrek's journey begins in his swamp, the ordinary world. He refuses the call to adventure when Lord Farquaad evicts the fairytale creatures from their homes and they end up in his swamp. However, Shrek sets out with Donkey to find Lord Farquaad to get his swamp back. Lord Farquaad sends Shrek on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona, which Shrek sees as a way to get his swamp back. Shrek and Donkey cross the first threshold when they embark on their journey to the Princess' keep. The tests, allies, and enemies stage is where they approach the inmost cave, the Princess' castle, where a fire-breathing dragon guards her. Shrek saves the princess and has to face the ordeal of fighting the dragon while trying to escape. On their journey back to Lord Farquaad, Shrek falls in love with Princess Fiona, and they deviate from the original plan. Shrek heads back to the castle to stop the wedding, where he faces another ordeal before rescuing the princess and returning with her to his swamp.

While Shrek's journey follows the stages of the Hero's Journey, there are deviations. The mentor role comes after the refusal of the call to adventure. However, Shrek meets Donkey before he sets out on his journey. Another deviation is Shrek's love story with Princess Fiona. While this isn't in the standard Hero's Journey, it is essential to Shrek's story.

The monster that the hero must vanquish in Shrek is not the dragon, but Lord Farquaad. Farquaad is a tyrant who wants to destroy and enslave the magical creatures of the village. He also plans to marry Princess Fiona to become king. Shrek must stop the wedding to save Fiona and ultimately defeat Lord Farquaad.

The mentor in Shrek is Donkey. He is the one who offers Shrek advice and never leaves his side, no matter how much Shrek tries to get rid of him. Donkey is always there for Shrek when he needs him most, and his support is crucial to Shrek's success.

Shrek would not have been successful on his own. His layers, both physical and emotional, made him vulnerable, and he needed Donkey's support and guidance to succeed. Additionally, Fiona's love and support help Shrek save the day and return with the elixir.