A Semiotic Analysis

Of Shrek: a real fairy tale?

Vis-à-vis traditional fairy tales
(Sleeping Beauty)
Agenda

• Fairy Tales
• Shrek: Unique?
• Semiotic analysis of Shrek as a Fairy
Tale
– Concepts
– Analysis
• Characters
• Through some scenes
 Fairy Tales : The way we know them

The Langue
•Good guy, damsel in distress, the sidekick/ friends, the evil witch/ knight/ king,
the obstacle, the concerned parents

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.
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 Fiona
He is accompanied ,much to his reluctance, on this task by the feisty
But…

Shrek as a story breaks the stereotypes

and

Establishes a new parole (comedy)

Concepts used

Background Reading : Vladmir Propp

 os
Path
dy
Come
c Axis
Paradigmati
Syntagmatic Axis :
Romantic Fairy Tale
Paradigmatic Analysis : What
we did

1. Define Signifiers and

their Signified in
Shrek

4. Compare and
contrast to establish
“value” of the
Significance

7. Result : Prove the

significance of the
Shrek: the Ogre as hero
Signifier: the
Signifier :the Ogr
hero
Signified: Signified:
– Peaceful – Green
– Calm – Ugly
– Noble – Unhygienic
– Diplomatic – Ferocious
– Non-violent – Violent
– Compassionat – Terrorizing
e – Selfish
– Attention
averse
Fiona: the princess
Signifier: Signifier: ogre
princess princess
Signified: Signified:
– Damsel in – Spunky
distress – Fiery
– Waiting for – Brave
her prince – Witty
charming
– Martial arts
– Hopelessly
expert
romantic
– Outspoken
– Beautiful
– Sophisticate
d
Donkey: the Sidekick

Signifier: donkey Signifier: donkey

(animal) (the sidekick)

Signified: Signified:
– Friendly – Witty
– Beast of burden – Comical
– Dumb – Talkative
– Dependant – Persistent
– Docile – 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