A Semiotic Analysis Of Shrek: a real fairy tale? Vis-à-vis traditional fairy tales (Sleeping Beauty)
Fairy Tales : The way we know them
Why we chose fairy tales?
The analysis of the fairy tales heard by all of us since childhood leads to an analogy between the language structure (langue) and the narrative. • a sequence of stability-disruption-stability.
The Langue•Good guy, damsel in distress, the sidekick/ friends, the evil witch/ knight/ king, the obstacle, the concerned parents
Shrek as a fairy tale
The story
Shrek is a fearsome green ogre living in the swamp , which is invaded one day by banished fairy-tale creatures.
They are banished by Lord Farquaad, who desires to become the King and his only chance of doing so is marrying Princess Fiona.
Princess Fiona is entrapped in a castle guarded by a love-lorn , ferocious Dragon.In order to win back his privacy from the evil Lord Farquaad Shrek undertakes the task of rescuing
Princess FionaHe is accompanied ,much to his reluctance, on this task by the feisty ,talking Donkey
But…
Shrek as a story breaks the stereotypesand
Establishes a new parole (comedy)
Concepts used
Langue and Parole
Syntagms and Paradigms
Paradigmatic Analysis•Signifier and Signified (through replacement)•Binary Opposition (in Character portrayal)
Background Reading : Vladmir Propp
Parent
King & Queen
King & Queen
Evil
Witch Maleficent
Lord Farqwuaad
Heroine
Aurora
Fiona Donkey
HelperObstacle
Poisoned Spindle
Dragon
Hero
Prince Phillip
Shrek
Syntagmatic Axis : Romantic Fairy Tale
Para
digm
atic
Axis
Com
edy
Path
os
Horse
Paradigmatic Analysis : What we did
Character 1 Character 2 Character 3
Scene 1 Scene 2
Scene 3
1. Define Signifiers and their Signified in Shrek
2. Compare and contrast to establish “value” of the Significance
3. Result : Prove the significance of the story lies in “value” of Signifiers and their signified
Shrek: the Ogre as hero
Signifier :the OgreSignified:
– Green – Ugly– Unhygienic– Ferocious – Violent – Terrorizing– Selfish
Signifier: the heroSignified:
– Peaceful– Calm– Noble– Diplomatic– Non-violent– Compassionate– Attention averse
Fiona: the princess
Signifier: princess
Signified: – Damsel in
distress– Waiting for her
prince charming
– Hopelessly romantic
– Beautiful– Sophisticated
Signifier: ogre princess
Signified: – Spunky– Fiery– Brave– Witty– Martial arts
expert– Outspoken
Donkey: the Sidekick
Signifier: donkey (animal)
Signified:– Friendly– Beast of burden– Dumb– Dependant– Docile
Signifier: donkey (the sidekick)
Signified:– Witty– Comical– Talkative– Persistent– Irritating
Shrek Vs Prince Phillip
Foina Vs Aurora
Donkey Vs Royal Steed
Paradigmatic Analysis : What Emerged
• Signifiers in Shrek are un-substitutable – break Stereotypes – multi layered characters.
• The film emerges as an entirely unique parole keeping the langue of the fairytale intact
Thank You
Questions ?
Group 14– Ankita Rojindar– Ila Khanolkar– Nalini Veeraghanta– Nitasha Nair– Priyanka Vahini– Ritu Banerji