Shrek (Mike Myers)

Lore & Background

Shrek is an asocial ogre who loves the solitude of his swamp and enjoys fending off mobs and intruders. One day, his life is interrupted after he inadvertently saves a talkative Donkey from some soldiers, prompting Donkey to forcibly stay with him. Donkey is one of many fairy tale creatures that are being exiled by the dwarfish Lord Farquaad of Duloc to beautify his land. However, the creatures inadvertently end up in the swamp. Angered by the intrusion, Shrek resolves to visit Farquaad and demand that he move the creatures elsewhere, reluctantly allowing Donkey to accompany him as he is the only one who knows where Duloc is. Shrek admits to Donkey that he is asocial because he grew frustrated over being constantly judged for his appearance.

In Their Own Story

Shrek and Donkey travel to the castle and a Dragon attacks them. Shrek locates Fiona, who is bewildered by his lack of romanticism; they flee the castle after rescuing Donkey from Dragon, who is revealed to be female and has fallen in love with him. When Shrek removes his helmet and reveals he is an ogre, Fiona stubbornly refuses to go to Duloc, demanding Farquaad arrive in person to save her, but Shrek carries Fiona against her will. That night, after setting up camp, and with Fiona alone in a cave, Shrek admits to Donkey that he is asocial because he grew frustrated over being constantly judged for his appearance. Fiona overhears this and becomes kinder to Shrek. The next day, Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men harass the three, but Fiona easily defeats them in physical combat. Shrek becomes impressed with Fiona, and they begin to fall in love. When the trio nears Duloc, Fiona takes shelter in a windmill for the evening. Donkey enters alone and discovers that Fiona has transformed into an ogress. She explains that during her childhood, she was cursed to transform into an ogress at night but retain her human form during the day. She tells Donkey that only 'true love's first kiss' will break the spell and allow her to 'take love's true form'. Meanwhile, Shrek is about to confess his feelings to Fiona, when he overhears Fiona referring to herself as an 'ugly beast'. Thinking that she is talking about him, Shrek angrily leaves and returns the next morning with Farquaad. Confused and hurt by Shrek's abrupt hostility, Fiona reluctantly accepts Farquaad's marriage proposal and requests that they be married that day before sunset. Shrek dismisses Donkey and returns to his now vacated swamp, but quickly realizes that he feels miserable without Fiona. Donkey returns and lectures Shrek for jumping to conclusions and reveals that Fiona was not referring to him as an 'ugly beast', although Donkey does not reveal Fiona's secret to Shrek. The two reconcile, and Donkey summons Dragon, whom he had reunited with earlier in the day. Shrek and Donkey ride Dragon to Duloc so they can stop the wedding. Shrek interrupts the ceremony just before it ends and expresses his feelings for Fiona. The sun sets, and Fiona transforms into an ogress in front of everyone. Disgusted and enraged, Farquaad orders Shrek to be executed and Fiona re-imprisoned, while he declares himself king. The two are saved when Dragon, ridden by Donkey, breaks in and devours Farquaad. Shrek and Fiona kiss, and Fiona's curse is broken; though she remains an ogress, Shrek reassures her that he still finds her beautiful. They marry in the swamp with the fairy tale creatures in attendance, then leave for their honeymoon.

Reader's Guide

Shrek presents as grumpy and defensive, often using his intimidating size to keep people at a safe distance. However, beneath the tough exterior lies a gentle soul who deeply craves genuine connection without judgment. His journey transforms him from a lonely outcast into a loving husband who embraces his identity. Key relationships include Donkey, his loyal best friend who teaches him about companionship, and Fiona, his wife who accepts him fully. Mike Myers provided the iconic voice performance, giving Shrek his characteristic Scottish accent. Chris Farley was cast as the voice of the title character, recording most of the required dialogue, but died in 1997 before his work on the film was completed; Myers was hired to replace him.

Did You Know?

• Chris Farley was originally cast as the voice of Shrek and recorded most of the required dialogue, but died in 1997 before his work was completed; Mike Myers was hired to replace him and gave Shrek his characteristic Scottish accent.
• Shrek was the first animated film since The Missing Link (1980) to compete for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
• Shrek won the inaugural Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2002.
• The United States Library of Congress selected Shrek for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2020, making it the first animated film of the 21st century to be preserved.
• Donkey was modeled after Pericles (born 1994; died 2025; also known as Perry), a real miniature donkey from Barron Park in Palo Alto, California.