History Heartwarming / Shrek

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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fionashrek.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''♪ You belong to me...'']]
This page is for examples specific to the first film, as well as any tie-in ''Shrek'' media without its own page. Please keep examples for the other films on their own separate pages.

!!''Shrek''

* First it subverts TrueLovesKiss: Shrek and Fiona finally confess their love for each other and kiss. Instead of the kiss freeing Fiona from being an ogress when the sun goes down, it makes her an ogress '''permanently'''. Fiona's puzzled (though not disappointed) because, as she claims, "I'm supposed to be beautiful." Shrek just smiles and says, with full and honest sincerity, "But you ''are'' beautiful." (Now CUE I'M A BELIEVER!!!)
** FridgeBrilliance at work here: ogres are considered ugly by human standards while it's also likely that ogres are see humans the same way when it comes to physical attractiveness. But Fiona as an ogress? Smoking hot by Shrek's standards! The rest of the franchise also plays up the fact that Fiona's clearly more at home in her skin as an ogress than she ever was as a human (and a princess at that). Being true to yourself is definitely more attractive than pretense.
** Realizing that a human woman wouldn't be all that attractive to an ogre makes the fact that Shrek fell in love with Fiona while she was still a human an especially sweet bit of [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments Heartwarming]] FridgeBrilliance. Yet another nice, more subtle twist to the BeastAndBeauty tale.
*** And the point is driven home perfectly with the karaoke short when Shrek serenades her with Music/BillyJoel's "Just the Way You Are".
*** Toward the end of the karaoke short, Shrek and Fiona sing part of "So Happy Together" to each other:
----> '''Shrek and Fiona:''' I can't see me loving nobody but you for all my life.
** Just as they're about to kiss, the executioner takes one of the audience reaction cards and hurriedly scribbles "Aawww" on the back and holds it up for the audience.
* When Shrek and Donkey first meet, Shrek tries (in vain) to scare Donkey off. Soon he just flat-out asks why the little ass won't git:
-->'''Shrek:''' Listen, little donkey, take a look at me! What am I?
-->'''Donkey:''' Uhhh... [[AreYouPonderingWhatImPondering Really tall?]]
-->'''Shrek:''' No! I'm an ogre! You know, "Grab your torch and pitchforks!" Doesn't that bother you?
-->'''Donkey:''' ''(shakes his head)'' Nope.
-->'''Shrek:''' ''(Surprised)'' [[DidntSeeThatComing ...Really?]]
-->'''Donkey:''' Really really.
** It's the look on Shrek's face that sells it. As we learn later on, Donkey's probably the first person to NOT treat Shrek like [[HeroWithBadPublicity a menace to society]] upon first meeting him.
* Also a bit later, when Shrek laments that he's better off alone because people judge him before getting to know him.
-->'''Donkey:''' You know what? When we met, I didn't think you were just a big, stupid, ugly ogre.
-->'''Shrek:''' Yeah, I know.
** After Shrek and Donkey have their misunderstanding, Donkey still goes back to Shrek's swamp and is willing to reconcile with him, saying, "That's what friends do! They forgive each other!" Then later after Shrek apologizes for his treatment of Donkey, he says, "Hey that's what friends are for, right?" They shake hands and genuinely become best friends.
*** The whole relationship between Shrek and Donkey is heartwarming. At first, Shrek sees Donkey as a nuisance and tries to shove him away. But Donkey likes Shrek and does everything he can to become his friend. His sincerity and persistence crack through Shrek's tough shell, allowing him to accept love in his life.
** When you really think it about, it's basically because of Donkey that Shrek and Fiona were able to confess their love for each other--if Donkey hadn't done what he did, Shrek and Fiona probably never would've seen each other after parting ways.
* When the dragon first attacks them and breathes fire at them, Shrek selflessly pushes Donkey out of the way, shouting, "Donkey, look out!" before barely dodging the fire himself, then grabs the dragon's tail to distract her away from Donkey.
* Right after Shrek frees Fiona from her room, he makes it a point to save Donkey first before escaping. Fiona asks why not leave now, and Shrek replies, "Well, I have to save my ass." Shrek could have just left Donkey there, gotten back his swamp, and finally been alone, not to mention this was before their heart-to-heart talk. Shrek probably felt indebted to Donkey for going on the entire journey with him.
* The scene when Shrek is practicing what he is going to say to Fiona when he admits his feelings to her. It's clear this is something he doesn't have much experience with. Shrek, someone who portrayed himself as the scarer, is now the scar''ee'', [[{{Adorkable}} tripping over his words]]. It's actually quite sweet.
* For the Karaoke Dance Party postscript, the moment when Shrek serenades Fiona with Music/BillyJoel's "Just the Way You Are" is deeply charming with the opening lines like "Don't go changing to try and please me/You've never let me down before..."
* While taking a drink at a river, Donkey sees the now heartbroken Dragon crying and walks on over to console her.
** It is double-heartwarming when you realize Donkey probably realized he treated Dragon the way people treated Shrek (when all she did was behave like what she is).
* When Shrek gives all of Farquaad's knights what amounts to a CurbStompBattle, the way the crowd reacts with massive cheers a la a WWE match starting, Shrek playfully acts with it. It's truly heartwarming when you realize that this is probably the first time Shrek has ever gotten a positive reaction out of an established society, even after taking down the people meant to protect it. Cue VictoryPose and LargeHam from Shrek as he tries to milk the moment for what it's worth, at least until Farquaad's knights armed with crossbows ruin the moment.
* After Fiona discovers that Shrek is an ogre, she's initially as dismissive of him as everyone else. But after overhearing him telling Donkey how people judge him without even knowing him, she clearly realizes that she hasn't treated him fairly, so the next morning, she prepares breakfast as an apology.
* When Robin Hood is about to kill Shrek, Fiona saves Shrek by knocking Robin Hood unconscious and beating up his merry men. This is when they begin to fall in love with each other.
* When Fiona notices that Shrek got an arrow stuck in his butt after their encounter with Robin Hood and his merry men, she and Donkey react worse to it than Shrek does--while Shrek seems more annoyed by it than anything else, Fiona blames herself for Shrek getting hurt while Donkey goes into a full-on panic.
* The scene around the campfire as Shrek makes weedrats rotisserie style. Fiona sadly reflects on her upcoming marriage to Farquaad, saying how she won't be able to enjoy Shrek's cooking anymore, she perks up when Shrek gives her an open invitation to his swamp, mostly so she can see him again. They then share a held gaze and an AlmostKiss.
* The moment where Shrek apologizes to Fiona for how he treated her and confesses his love right when she's about to kiss Lord Farquaad. When Farquaad encourages the wedding guests to laugh at Shrek for an ogre loving a princess, Fiona gets an EveryoneHasStandards moment. She lets go of Farquaad's hand, and tells Shrek she wanted to show him something. Cue the sun going down, and her transformation occurring. Shrek goes, "[[ThisExplainsSoMuch That explains a lot]]" and they give sweet smiles to each other.

....

This page is for examples specific to the first film, as well as any tie in ''Shrek'' media without its own page. Please keep examples for the other films on their own separate pages.

* In ''WesternAnimation/ShrekTheHalls'', Shrek sees his children under the table, playing with each other and the Dronkeys. He goes down to them and calls them "My sweeties". Especially considering how terrified he was of being a father in the previous film.

* When Shrek and Donkey first meet, Shrek tries (in vain) to scare Donkey off. Soon he just flat out asks why the little ass won't git:

* When Shrek and Donkey first meet, Shrek tries (in vain) to scare Donkey off. Soon he just flat out asks why the little mule won't git:

-->'''Donkey:''' You know what...when we met, I didn't think you were just a big, stupid, ugly ogre.

* When the dragon first attacks them and breaths fire at them Shrek selflessly pushes Donkey out of the way, quipping: "Donkey look out" before also dodging the fire barely then grabs the dragons tail to distract her away from Donkey.
* Right after Shrek frees Fiona from her room, he makes it a point to save Donkey first before escaping. Fiona asks why not leave now, and Shrek replies, "Well, I have to save my Ass." Shrek could have just left Donkey there, gotten back his swamp, and finally been alone, not to mention this was before their heart to heart talk. Shrek probably felt indebted to Donkey for going on the entire journey with him.

* First it subverts TrueLovesKiss: Shrek and Fiona finally confess their love for each other and kiss. Instead of it freeing Fiona from being an ogress when the sun goes down, it makes her an ogress '''permanently'''. Fiona, while not exactly disappointed, is still puzzled because, as she claims, "I'm supposed to be beautiful." Shrek just smiles and says, with full and honest sincerity, "But you ''are'' beautiful." (Now CUE I'M A BELIEVER!!!)
** FridgeBrilliance at work here. Ogres are considered ugly by human standards and the same is probably for humans to ogres. But Fiona as an Ogress? Smoking hot by Shrek's standards! Subsequent movies also play up the fact that Fiona's much more at home in her skin as an ogress than she ever was as a human (and a princess at that). Being true to one's self is definitely more attractive than pretense.
*** Realizing that a human woman wouldn't be all that attractive to an ogre makes the fact that Shrek fell in love with Fiona while she was still a human an especially sweet bit of [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments Heartwarming]] FridgeBrilliance. Yet another nice, more subtle twist to the BeastAndBeauty tale.

** It's the look on Shrek's face that sells it. As we learn later on, Donkey's probably the first person to NOT treat Shrek like [[HeroWithBadPublicity a menace to society]].

** Without Donkey coming back and clearing things up, Shrek and Fiona probably never would've seen each other again.

* That Donkey and Fiona react worse to the arrow in Shrek's butt than he does shows how much his the trio have come to care about each other. Fiona feels terrible, blaming herself for getting him hurt, while Donkey goes into full panic and thinks he's dying.

* In ''WesternAnimation/ShrekTheHalls'', Shrek sees his children under the table, playing with each other and the Dronkeys. He goes down to them and calls them "My sweeties". Especially considering how terrified he was of being a father in the previous film.
* Seeing Shrek and his family have fun on Halloween. Even if it is to play pranks, it's rather adorable seeing them all have fun as a family.

** In fact there's quite a few moments when Shrek saves Donkey, either from falling off the rope bridge or getting shot by one of the Merry Men.

** When one of the Merry Man shoots an arrow, he physically pulls donkey out of the way before it hits him.

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* The moment where Shrek apologizes to Fiona for how he treated her and confesses his love right when she's about to kiss Lord Farquaad. When Farquaad encourages the wedding guests to laugh at Shrek for an ogre loving a princess, Fiona gets an EveryoneHasStandards moment. She lets go of Farquaad's hand, and tells Shrek she wanted to show him something. Cue the sun going down, and her transformation occurring. Shrek goes, "[[ThisExplainsSoMuch That explains everything" and they give sweet smiles to each other.

*** Toward the end of the karaoke short, Shrek and Fiona sing part of "So happy together" to each other:
----> Shrek and Fiona: "I can't see me loving nobody but you for all my life"

* The scene when Shrek is practicing what he is going to say to Fiona when he admits his feelings to her. It's clear this is something he doesn't have much experience with. Shrek, someone who portrayed himself as the scarer, is now the scar''ee'', [[Adorkable tripping over his words]]. It's actually quite sweet.

*** And the point is driven home perfectly with the karaoke short when Shrek serenades with Music/BillyJoel's "Just the Way You Are"
*** During the karaoke short, Shrek and Fiona sing part of "So happy together" to each other
----> Shrek and Fiona: " I can't see me loving nobody but you for all my life"

-->'''Donkey:''' You know what...When we met, I didn't think you were just a big, stupid, ugly ogre.

** After Shrek and Donkey have their misunderstanding, Donkey still goes back to Shrek's swamp and is willing to reconcile with him saying "That's what friends do! They forgive each other!" Then later after Shrek apologizes for his treatment of Donkey, he says "Hey that's what friends are for, right?" They shake hands and genuinely become best friends.
*** The whole relationship between Shrek and Donkey is heartwarming. At first, Shrek sees Donkey as a nuisance and tries to shove him away. But Donkey liked Shrek and did everything he could to become his friend. His persistence is what cracks through Shrek's tough shell and allows him to accept love in his life.

* Right after Shrek frees Fiona from her room, he made it a point to save Donkey first before escaping. Fiona ask why not leave now, Shrek replies "He has to save his Ass first". Shrek could have just left Donkey there, get back his swamp and finally be alone, not to mention this was before their heart to heart talk. Shrek probably felt indebted to Donkey for joining him the entire journey with him.
* The scene when Shrek is practicing what he is going to say to Fiona when he admits his feelings to her. It's clear this is something he doesn't have much experience with. Shrek, someone who portrayed himself as the scarer, is now the scar''ee'', tripping over his words. It's actually quite sweet.

* While taking a drink at a river, Donkey sees the now heartbroken dragon crying and walks on over to console her.
** It is double-heartwarming when you realize Donkey probably realized he treated Dragon the way people treated Shrek (when all she did was to behave like what she is).

** It's the look on Shrek's face that counts. As we learn later on, Donkey's probably the first person to NOT treat Shrek like [[HeroWithBadPublicity a menace to society]].

-->'''Donkey:''' You know what...When we met, I didn't think you was just a big, stupid, ugly ogre.

* Also a bit later, when Shrek laments what he's better off alone because people judge him before getting to know him.

* First it subverts TrueLovesKiss: [[spoiler: Shrek and Fiona finally confess their love for each other and kiss. Instead of it freeing Fiona from being an ogress when the sun goes down, it makes her an ogress '''permanently'''.]] Fiona, while not exactly disappointed, is still puzzled because, as she claims, "I'm supposed to be beautiful." Shrek just smiles and says, with full and honest sincerity, "But you ''are'' beautiful." (Now CUE I'M A BELIEVER!!!)
** FridgeBrilliance at work here. [[spoiler: Ogres are considered ugly by human standards and the same is probably for humans to ogres. But Fiona as an Ogress? Smoking hot by Shrek's standards! Subsequent movies also play up the fact that Fiona's much more at home in her skin as an ogress than she ever was as a human (and a princess at that). Being true to one's self is definitely more attractive than pretense.]]

* In ''Scared Shrekless'' Shrek and Fiona are taking their children out to play pranks on Halloween. When the children see their father, they instantly forget about the candy and go to see him.
* In ''ShrekTheHalls'', Shrek sees his children under the table, playing with each other and the Dronkeys. He goes down to them and calls them "My sweeties". Especially considering how terrified he was of being a father in the previous film.

*** Realizing that a human woman wouldn't be all that attractive to an ogre makes the fact that Shrek fell in love with Fiona while she was still a human an especially sweet bit of [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming Heartwarming]] FridgeBrilliance. Yet another nice, more subtle twist to the BeastAndBeauty tale.

* In ''ShrekTheHalls'', Shrek sees his children under the table, playing with each other and the Dronkeys. He goes down to them and calls them "My sweeties".

* In ''Scared Shrekless'' Shrek and Fiona are taking their children out to play pranks on Halloween. When the children see their father, they instantly forget about the candy and go to see him.