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Most notably, Fiona—a character traditionally cast as a damsel in distress—is reimagined as a capable, complex individual. She’s not a passive beauty waiting to be rescued; instead, she is a woman striving to become a full-time princess while hiding her own ogre nature. Her character arc reveals that true love and self-acceptance are more meaningful than superficial appearances.
Shrek also refuses to present fairy tale villains as purely evil. Lord Farquaad is a shallow, self-absorbed ruler, more comedic than threatening, emphasizing the film’s inclination toward satire over conventional villainy. The non-heroic, multi-dimensional characters challenge viewers to rethink stereotypical roles.