Shrek's Vulnerabilities

The director uses many methods to make Shrek more human and vulnerable. Nobody has ever understood Shrek, so he has hardened up and he acts like he doesn't care but deep down Shrek is lonely and does have feelings. For example, after shrek has met Fiona and spent time with her, he overhears Fiona talking about ugliness and beauty. Fiona is really talking about herself but as Shrek only hears a snippet of the conversation he thinks Fiona is talking about him. After spending the journey with Fiona, Shrek thought that they were friends and he's upset to think she's talking about him. The director makes us sympathise for Shrek. The non-diegetic sound is slow and depressing. Shrek's ears droop and his whole face just drops down. His shoulders slump and Shrek becomes self conscience. He loses self respect and tries to hide his feelings. Another example is when Shrek says, 'Ogres are like onions. Onions have layers, ogres have layers.' Donkey doesn't quite get the metaphor but what Shrek is really trying to say is that aan onion may be ugly on the outside but if you peel back the layers you will find something totally different. Shrek may not look like a human on the outside but he has feelings just like everyone else.