Shrek Character Types

Looking at how the characters in Shrek  invert traditional stereotypes

Character	Propp’s Theory		Characteristics we would expect
Hero	The central protagonist of the narrative who drives it forward and has some kind of quest or mission to undertake in return for a reward. Traditionally male, e.g. Fireman Sam, but can be female, e.g. Mulan.		Chivalrous
Villain	Seeks riches, glory and or power, and seeks to stop the hero succeeding in the quest or mission, while presenting a genuine threat. The sometimes want the heroine themselves. Can be male or female.		strong
Helper	Accompanies the hero for some or most of the quest and can sometimes help, but cannot by themselves complete the quest.		noble
Blocker		Tries to prevent the hero completing at least part of the quest.		strong
Prize	Acts as a reward for the hero suceeding in the quest. In older, more stereotypical narratives the heroine is a passive princess and female.		delicate

Looking at how the characters in Shrek  conform to Propp’s theory

Character	Propp’s Theory	In Shrek – who
Hero	The central protagonist of the narrative who drives it forward and has some kind of quest or mission to undertake in return for a reward. Traditionally male, e.g. Fireman Sam, but can be female, e.g. Mulan.	Who: how he fulfils the role: why he is not stereotypical:
Villain	Seeks riches, glory and or power, and seeks to stop the hero succeeding in the quest or mission, while presenting a genuine threat. The sometimes want the heroine themselves. Can be male or female.	Who: how he fulfils the role: why he is not stereotypical:
Helper	Accompanies the hero for some or most of the quest and can sometimes help, but cannot by themselves complete the quest.	Who: how he fulfils the role: why he is not stereotypical:
Blocker	Tries to prevent the hero completing at least part of the quest.	Who: how he/she fulfils the role: why he/she is not stereotypical:
Prize	Acts as a reward for the hero suceeding in the quest. In older, more stereotypical narratives the heroine is a passive princess and female. In modern narratives the heroine can be more fiesty.	Who: how she fulfils the role: why she is not stereotypical: