Characterization is one of the main aspects of any story, movie, or TV show. It is important that there is always a main character that is dynamic and has a lot of personality, in addition to secondary characters that fill the backgound almost like furniture in a house. This gives a story its depth. In Shrek the protagonist and main character is of course, Shrek himself. Shrek is a dynamic character, as he changes throughout the movie from a dingy and grumpy ogre who seems to hate the entire world, and would love to spend the rest of his life a lone, into a loving ogre that falls in love with Princess Fiona. He is also a round character with a complex personality. Shrek is conflicted throughout movie whether to save Princess Fiona, or not. In the end, he realizes that he must pursue the woman he loves. An example of a secondary character in Shrek is Lord Farquaad. He is considered to be a static character because his ideals and attitude remains the same throughout the entire movie. Lord Farquaad's entire objective throughout the movie is to marry Princess Fiona, however, in the end he loses the battle for the Princess as Shrek arrives in the church seconds before they are to be married and sweeps her off her feet. Since Lord Farquaad does not have a complex personality he is a flat character. However, he is not a stock character because he is not the typical antagonist, nor is he a foil character because Donkey plays that role in this film. Donkey is the foil character because his personality contrasts with Shrek, thus portraying Shrek's characteristics. In addition, they have dissimilar physical features.
Donkey has to be my favorite character in all the Shrek movies. Donkey is like a sidekick to Shrek. He follows him everywhere and accompanies him when he is lonely. Donkey is a static character because his personality does not change throughout the entire movie. He always has a sense of humor and is capable of making the viewer laugh. He is a flat character because his personality is not complex. He is a lighthearted donkey who tries to make the best out of every situation.
Like Shrek, Princess Fiona is also a dynamic character. In the beginning of the movie, viewers see Princess Fiona as the stubborn and sassy princess who shifts into an ogress at sunset. As she hates and despises what she becomes at every sunset, fearing of what others may think of her or see her as, Princess Fiona begins to build a bond with both Shrek and Donkey. She changes throughout the movie because at first, she hates what she has to change into at sunset, but finds herself embracing her appearance later on. Princess Fiona is definitely a round character too. Playing as one of the main characters, viewers of the movie see her true personality, as her mindset and views change on ogres and her appearance. Starting off as an obdurate character, Princess Fiona becomes more understanding and accepting of her appearance, while slowly falling in love with Shrek.
Puss in Boots is also an extremely comical character in the movie. He is more of a flat and static character. He remains the same courageous and committed cat throughout the whole movie. He does not let his size interfere with his dedication to do what is right. In addition, he is actually a simple character, who has no hidden agenda. Puss in Boots cannot be considered a sock character, because a stereotypical cat does not walk around with a sword, fighting people. Also, he is not the foil character, because in the movie he is not as important as Shrek or Donkey. Therefore, his personality is not used to bring out Shrek's unique qualities or characteristics.
Donkey is by far the funniest character in this movie. His personality always remains the same, he is not a dynamic, because he does not undergo any important changes. This makes his a static character. He is not considered round either, because there is nothing complex about donkey, literally! He is a simple, funny, loving, character always staying loyal to his friends.
Once again, Donkey is in fact the funniest character of the entire Shrek series. His role in the movie as Shrek's sidekick never changes, making him a static character. In a way, Donkey is also a Round character, because he is happy when Shrek is happy, he is mad whenever Shrek yells at him, and he has a hilarious attitude. His personality overall stays the same, but is expressed through different scenes in the movie.
Great analysis Sammy! Eddie Murphy does a fantastic job at playing Donkey's role. Donkey is Shrek's sidekick and together they go on a dangerous and adventurous journey to save the Princess from a fire-breathing dragon. Donkey is a static character also in my opinion because throughout the movie he is still the same donkey and does not undergo any changes. Donkey is a funny character who laughs at everything and makes jokes left and right. Donkey is one of my favorite characters in the movie.
Donkey is easily my favorite character in the movie too. Seems like it was every one else's as well. Donkey enlightens the whole movie by making jokes here and there. Donkey is a static character because he is the same throughout the whole movie and his position, ideas or actions do not completely change. As Harout mentioned, Donkey's attitude does change depending on the scene which might make him a dynamic character, but I believe a more important change has to occur on a character for them to be considered a round character.