(EXAM) - Character Theories.

Seeing as I used the animated movie Shrek to show an example of the timeline, I have used it again to give and example of Character Theories.

• Shrek is the hero, who is usually male. He is the agent who restores the narrative equilibrium often by embarking upon a quest (or search which Lord Farquard sends him on). Propp distinguishes between the victim hero, who is the centre of the villain's attentions, and the seeker hero who aids others who are the villains victims. The hero is invariably the texts central character.
• Lord Farquard is the villain who usually creates the narrative disruption.
• Donkey is the donor gives the hero something, it may be an object, information or advice, which helps in resolution of the narrative.
• Donkey is also the helper aids the hero in the task of restoring equilibrium.
• Fiona is the princess (the victim) is usually the character most threatened by the villain and has to be saved, at the climax, by the hero. The father's (who in fairy tales was often the king) role is usually to give the princess away to the hero at the narrative's conclusion. He may also despatch the hero.
• Lord Farquard is the dispatcher sends the hero on her or his task (who can typically be the princess father)
• Dragon is the false hero appears to be good but is revealed, at the narrative's end, to have been bad Characters can fulfil more than one sphere character type, for example; a princess may also be a helper.