Shrek's Self And Body Image

An individual’s self-esteem can be high or low depending on certain factors in their life, such as the media, their friends and family and their social experiences. Due to these factors, they can significantly impact an individual’s view of themselves. These concepts and ideas are explored in 2001 film “Shrek” directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson. “Shrek” projects how different factors in an individual’s life can alter the way one perceives themselves.

Family and friends can have a significant impact on one’s self-esteem. This idea is explored between Donkey and Shrek who become companions to one another. Friends can play a major role in boosting one’s self-esteem, as one’s values and perceptions are influenced by our friends and family. …show more content…
Body Image is a factor of self-esteem that is influenced by many social and cultural factors such as friends and family and the media.This idea is explored between Shrek and Fiona as they both share the belief that they are ugly and unattractive to be with each other. Due to their belief that they are ugly, it decreases their confidence as well as lowering their self-esteem. “Listen, little donkey, take a look at me! What am I? I'm an OGRE! You know, "grab your torch and pitchforks!" Doesn't that bother you?” Shrek doesn’t feel accepted as people are generally afraid of him as they perceive him as a beast, as a result of this it decreases his self-esteem as he is constantly rejected by society due to his appearance and not his personality. This can relate to a teenagers self-esteem as they are constantly judged on their appearance rather than any other aspects. Personality is placed aside when an individual is judged as society only focuses on outer beauty rather than inner beauty. Another example where body image is a contributing factor to low self-esteem is evident in the scene when Fiona confided to Donkey about her being an ogre, for instance in this quote “ this is not how a princess is meant to look” Fiona believes that she does not fit into the role as a princess due to her being an “ugly horrible beast'', as a result of this belief it decreases her confidence as well as self-respect as she is constantly degrading herself .This can also relate to a teenagers self-esteem as society is capable of having a detrimental impact on a teenage girl's sense of self through the stereotypes they present in media including magazines and advertisements of unrealistic models which is meant to define women. Consequently, the media provokes women predominantly adolescents to degrade themselves as well as feeling unworthy as they do not fulfill what they see in