By night one way, by day another, this shall be the norm. Until you find true love's first kiss, and then take love's true form.
3rd most-quoted character in Shrek (2001): in 18 of its 110 quotes
Most scenes with: Donkey (13), Shrek (11), Lord Farquaad (3)
Hey, wait! What are you doing?
More lines from Princess Fiona
2 quotesYes. But I don't understand. I'm supposed to be beautiful.
Scenes with Princess Fiona
15 scenesI have to be rescued by my true love. Not by some ogre, and... and his pet!
Well, so much for "noble steed"!
And my groom-to-be, Lord Farquaad. What's he like?
Well, let me put it this way, Princess. [knowing glance at Donkey] Men of Farquaad's standards are in "short" supply. [chuckles]
No, Shrek. There are those who think very "little" of him!
Stop it. Stop it, both of you! You know, you're just jealous that you could never measure up to a great ruler like Lord Farquaad.
Tomorrow? Will it really take that long? Shouldn't we set up camp?
No, that'll take longer.
But there's... robbers in the woods!
Whoa, time out, Shrek! Campin' sure is startin' to sound like a good idea 'round here!
Hey, come on! I'm scarier than anything we're gonna see in this forest--
I need to find somewhere to camp NOW!!!
[Shrek groans as he regains consciousness. His back is to Princess Fiona, lying upright on the bed near the window. Though a bit startled, she is ecstatic to see her knight in shining armor. She straightens her dress, lies back down, and then quickly reaches over for a bouquet off the side table. She lies back down and pretends to be asleep, clutching the bouquet to her breast. Shrek turns, takes note of the princess and walks across the room over to her. He bends down over to Fiona, and she puckers her lips. Shrek takes her by the shoulders and forcefully shakes her.]
Wha... Wha...
Wake up!
What?!
Are you Princess Fiona?
I am... [smiling] awaiting a knight so bold as to rescue me.
Ah, that's nice. Now let's go!
But, wait, Shrek! This be-ith our first meeting. Should it not be a wonderful, romantic moment? [she tosses the bouquet and lays back down, swooning]
Yeah, sorry, lady. There's no time. [Shrek walks back, grabs Fiona's arm. and hauls her out of bed and toward the door]
Hey, wait. What are you doing? You know, you should sweep me off my feet out yonder window and down a rope onto your valiant steed. [Shrek yanks on the door handle only for it to snap off]
You've had a lot of time to plan this, haven't you?
Mm-hmm. [screams as Shrek suddenly smashes the door down with his shoulder, still holding onto her arm. He rushes down the tower's staircase in tow and grabs a torch] But we have to savor this moment! You could recite an imagine poem for me. [Shrek and Fiona cross the bridge connecting the tallest tower to the rest of the castle] A ballad? A sonnet! A limerick? A something! [Fiona pulls her arm out. They stop for a moment as Shrek figures out which direction to go.]
I don't think so.
Well, can I at least know the name of my champion?
Uh, Shrek.
Sir Shrek. [she smiles, clears her throat, and holds out a handkerchief] I pray that you take this favor as a token of my gratitude.
Thanks!
You didn't slay the dragon?!
It's on my to-do list; now come on! [Shrek grabs Fiona once again and takes off running toward the direction of the dragon's roar]
But-but-but- this isn't right! They were meant to charge in, sword drawn, banner flying. That's what all the other knights did!
Yeah, right before they burst into flames!
That's not the point! Ugh!
Wait, where are you going? The exit's over there!
What kind of knight are you?
One of a kind.
Slow down. Slow down, baby, please. Look, I believe it's healthy to get to know someone over a long period of time. Just, just call me old-fashioned. I don't want to rush into a... a physical relationship. I'm not...not emotionally ready for a commitment of, uh, this, uh - - "magnitude" really is the word I'm looking for. Magnitude.
Hey, that is unwanted physical contact. Hey, what are you doing?
Okay, okay. Let's just back up a little and take this one step at a time. I mean, we really should get to know each other first, you know, as friends or maybe even pen pals. Y'know cause I'm on the road a lot, but I just love receiving cards to read --
Oh, y'know I'd, I'd really love to stay, but --
Hey, hey, don't do that! That's my tail! That's my personal tail. You're gonna tear it off. I don't give permission to-- hey! What are you gonna do with that?
Hey, now. No way. No! No! No, no! No. No, no, no. No! Oh!
[Shrek lands on Donkey and bumps him out of Dragon's grasp just as she is about to kiss him, and now instead kisses Shrek's arse. She opens her eyes and roars. Shrek lets go of the chain, and the chandelier falls onto her head, making a collar around her neck. She roars again, and Shrek and Donkey take off running. They dodge a blast of fire from Dragon. Shrek grabs Donkey in one arm and then grabs Princess Fiona, who has wandered into the room, with the other arm as he runs past her.]
Hi, Princess!
He talks!
Yeah, it's getting him to shut up; that's the trick.
[They all gasp as Shrek suddenly stops, having reached the end of the balcony. Shrek spots a fallen column that has formed a sort of slide. He jumps on it just as Dragon tries to bite them and slides down it. Unfortunately, there is a crack in the stone, which hits Shrek right in the crotch. His eyes cross, and as he reaches the bottom of the slide, he groans and stumbles off. Dragon chases after them, the chain of the chandelier still unravelling. Dragon chases them through a large hall, her chain looping itself around multiple stone pillars as Shrek zigzags around them. Dragon ends up in front of them and breathes fire. Shrek dodges the fire and runs away, leaping over several rows of chains. He comes to a halt.]
Okay, you two, head for the exit! [setting down Donkey and Fiona] I'll take care of The Dragon.
RUN!!
[They sprint as fast as they can out of the castle and onto the rickety bridge as Dragon breathes a huge fireball behind them. As they reach the middle of the bridge, the fire burns the bridge, and it snaps in half. They hang onto the bridge as they are swung to the other side. Donkey, unable to grab on, falls off, but Shrek catches him by the leg. Fiona screams in horror as Dragon flies over the boiling lava to get them. Suddenly, the chandelier pulls Dragon back, the sword having lodged itself into a stone column and getting the chain stuck. The Dragon stopped from making a mistake. The group quickly climbs up to safety. Dragon lets out a stopped roar, then gives a sad whimper.]
Okay, so here’s another question. Say there’s a woman that digs you, right, but you don’t really like her that way. How do you let her down real easy so her feelings aren’t hurt, but you don’t get burned to a crisp and eaten?
You just tell her she’s not your true love. Everyone knows what happens when you find your… [Shrek drops her on the ground] Hey! The sooner we get to Duloc, the better.
You’re gonna love it there, Princess. It’s beautiful!
And what of my groom-to-be? Lord Farquaad? What’s he like?
Let me put it this way, Princess. Men of Farquaad’s stature are in short supply. [he and Donkey laugh]
I don’t know. There are those who think little of him.
Stop it. Stop it, both of you. You’re just jealous you can never measure up to a great ruler like Lord Farquaad.
Yeah, well, maybe you’re right, Princess. But I’ll let you do the "measuring" when you see him tomorrow.
Tomorrow?! It’ll take that long? Shouldn’t we stop to make camp?
No, that’ll take longer. We can keep going.
But there’s robbers in the woods.
Whoa! Time out, Shrek! Camp is starting to sound good.
Hey, come on. I’m scarier than anything we’re going to see in this forest.
I need to find somewhere to camp NOW!!!!
[Both Donkey and Shrek’s ears lower as they shrink away from her.]
Hey! Over here.
Shrek, we can do better than that. I don’t think this is fit for a princess.
No, no, it’s perfect. It just needs a few homey touches.
Homey touches? Like what? [he hears a tearing noise and looks over at Fiona who has torn the bark off of a tree.]
A door? Well, gentlemen, I bid thee good night. [goes into the cave and puts the bark door up behind her.]
You want me to read you a bedtime story? I will.
I said good night!
Shrek, what are you doing?
[Fiona walks out of the cave. She glances at Shrek and Donkey, who are still sleeping. She wanders off into the woods and comes across a blue bird. She begins to sing. The bird sings along with her. She hits higher and higher notes, and the bird struggles to keep up with her. Suddenly, the pressure of the note is too big, and the bird explodes. Fiona looks a little sheepish, but she eyes the eggs that the bird left behind. Time lapse: Fiona is now cooking the eggs for breakfast. Shrek and Donkey are still sleeping. Shrek wakes up and looks at Fiona. Donkey’s talking in his sleep.]
Donkey, wake up. [shakes him]
Huh? What?
Wake up.
What? [stretches and yawns]
Good morning. Hm, how do you like your eggs?
Oh, good morning, Princess!
You know, we kind of got off to a bad start yesterday. I wanted to make it up to you. I mean, after all, you did rescue me.
Uh, thanks.
Well, eat up. We’ve got a big day ahead of us. [walks off]
Shrek!
What? It’s a compliment. Better out than in, I always say. [laughs]
Well, it’s no way to behave in front of a princess.
Thanks.
She’s as nasty as you are.
Well, maybe you shouldn’t judge people before you get to know them.
La liberte! Hey!
Princess!
What are you doing?
Be still, mon cherie, for I am your savior! And I am rescuing you from this green... [kisses up her arm while Fiona pulls back in disgust] ...beast.
Hey! That’s my princess! Go find your own!
Please, monster! Can't you see I'm a little busy here?
Look, pal, I don’t know who you think you are!
Oh! Of course! Oh, how rude. Please let me introduce myself. Oh, Merry Men! [laughs]
Ta, dah, dah, dah, whoo.
♪ I steal from the rich and give to the needy. ♪
♪ He takes a wee percentage, ♪
♪ But I'm not greedy. I rescue pretty damsels, man, I'm good. ♪
♪ What a guy, Monsieur Hood. ♪
Break it down. ♪ I like an honest fight and a saucy little maid... ♪
♪ What he's basically saying is he likes to get-
Paid. So... ♪ When an ogre in the bush grabs a lady by the tush. ♪ That's bad.
That's bad.
♪ When a beauty's with a beast it makes me awfully mad. ♪
He's mad, he's really, really mad.
♪ I’ll take my blade and ram it through your heart, keep your eyes on me, boys, 'cause I'm about to start... ♪
Man, that was annoying!
Oh, you little...! [shoots an arrow at Fiona but she handsprings out of the way]
AAAAAAH!
[Another fight sequence begins, and Fiona gives a karate yell. She handsprings over to the arrow shooter and rapidly punches him unconscious. She elbow strikes another and swats him with her braid. There is a very interesting ‘Matrix’ moment here when Fiona pauses in mid-air to fix her hair, then takes two men down by kicking them both at the same time. With a running backflip off a tree, she punches the friar through his accordion. She knocks out another one of the Merry Men with a roundhouse kick. Finally, all of the Merry Men are down, and Fiona begins walking away.]
Uh, shall we?
Hold the phone. [drops Donkey and begins walking after Fiona] Oh! Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on now. Where did that come from?
What?
That! Back there. That was amazing! Where did you learn that?
Well... [laughs] when one lives alone, uh, one has to learn these things in case there’s a… [gasps and points] there’s an arrow in your butt!
What? [turns and looks] Oh, would you look at that? [he goes to pull it out but flinches because it’s tender]
Oh, no! This is all my fault! I’m so sorry!
Shrek’s hurt.
Shrek’s hurt? Shrek’s hurt?! Oh, no, Shrek’s gonna die!
Donkey, I’m okay.
You can’t do this to me, Shrek! I’m too young for you to die! Keep you legs elevated! Turn your head and cough! Does anyone know the Heimlich?
Donkey! Calm down. If you want to help Shrek, run into the woods and find me a blue flower with red thorns.
Blue flower, red thorns. Okay, I’m on it. Blue flower, red thorns. Don’t die Shrek. If you see a long tunnel, stay away from the light!
Donkey!
Oh, yeah. Right. Blue flower, red thorns. [runs off]
What are the flowers for?
For getting rid of Donkey.
Ah.
Now you hold still, and I’ll yank this thing out. [gives the arrow a little pull]
I’m sorry, but it has to come out.
No, it’s tender.
Now, hold on.
What do you think you’re doing is the opposite of help.
Don’t move.
Look, time out.
Would you...? [grunts as Shrek puts his hand over her face to stop her from getting at the arrow] Okay. What do you propose we do?
Ow! Not good!
Okay. Okay. I can nearly see the head. [Shrek grunts as she pulls] It’s just about...
Ow! Ohh! [he jerks and manages to fall over with Fiona on top of him]
Ahem.
Look, if you wanted to be alone, all you had to do was ask. Okay?
Oh, come on! That’s the last thing on my mind. The princess here was just-- [Fiona pulls the arrow out] Ugh! [he turns to look at Fiona, who holds up the arrow with a smile] Ow!
Hey, what’s that? [nervous chuckle] That’s-- Is that blood? [faints]
[Shrek walks over and picks him up as they continue on their way.] [Eels: "My Beloved Monster"] [There is a montage of scenes as the group heads back to DuLoc. Shrek crawling up to the top of a tree to make it fall over a small brook so that Fiona won’t get wet. Shrek then gets up as Donkey is just about to cross the tree, and the tree swings back into its upright position and Donkey flies off. Shrek is swatting at a bunch of flies and mosquitoes. Fiona grabs a nearby spiderweb that’s on a tree branch and runs through the field, swinging it around to catch the bugs. She then hands it to Shrek, who begins eating like cotton candy. Shrek catches a toad and blowing it up like a balloon and presents it to Fiona. Fiona catching a snake, blowing it up, fashioning it into a balloon animal and presenting it to Shrek. The group arriving at a windmill that is near DuLoc.]
My beloved monster and me We go everywhere together Wearin' a raincoat that has four sleeves Get us through all kinds of weather
Aah!
She will always be the only thing That comes between me and the awful sting That comes from living in a world that’s so damn mean [croaks] Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
Hey!
La-la, la-la, la-la-la-la [both laughing] La-la, la-la, la-la
Mmm. This is good. This is really good. What is this?
Uh, weed rat. Rotisserie style.
No kidding. Well, this is delicious.
Well, they’re also great in stews. Now, I don’t mean to brag, but I make a mean weed rat stew. [chuckles]
I guess I’ll be dining a little differently tomorrow night.
Maybe you can come visit me in the swamp sometime. I’ll cook all kind of stuff for you. Swamp toad soup, fish eye tartare-- you name it.
I’d like that.
Yes, Shrek?
I, um, I was wondering…are you… [sighs] Are you gonna eat that?
Sunset?! Oh, no! I mean, it’s late. I-It’s very late.
What?
Wait a minute. I see what’s goin’ on here. You’re afraid of the dark, aren’t you?
Yes! Yes, that’s it. I’m terrified. You know, I’d better go inside.
Don’t feel bad, Princess. I used to be afraid of the dark, too, until-- Hey, no, wait. I’m still afraid of the dark.
Good night.
Good night.
Ohh! Now I really see what’s goin’ on here.
Oh, what are you talkin’ about?
I don’t even wanna hear it. Look, I’m an animal, and I got instincts. And I know you two were diggin’ on each other. I could feel it.
You’re crazy. I’m just bringing her back to Farquaad.
Oh, come on, Shrek. Wake up and smell the pheromones. Just go on in and tell her how you feel.
I...There’s nothing to tell. Besides, even if I did tell her that, well, you know...and I’m not sayin’ I do ‘cause I don’t...she’s a princess, and I’m...
An ogre?
Yeah. An ogre.
Hey, where you goin’?
To get… more firewood. [sighs]
[Donkey looks over at the large pile of firewood there already is.]
Princess? Princess Fiona? Princess, where are you? Princess? [Fiona looks at Donkey from the shadows, but he can’t see her.] It’s very spooky in here. I ain’t playing no games.
AAAAAHHHHH!!!
No! No! No!
OH, NO, HELP!
Shh!
SHREK!!! SHREK!!! SHREK!!!
No, it’s okay. It’s okay.
WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE PRINCESS?!
Donkey, shh! I’m the princess.
AAAAAHHHHH!!!
It’s me, in this body.
Donkey?!
No!
SHREK!!! SHREK!!! SHREK!!!
Shh.
SHREK!!!
This is me.
Princess? What happened to you? You’re, uh, uh, uh, different.
I’m ugly, okay?
Well, yeah! Was it something you ate? ‘Cause I told Shrek those rats was a bad idea. You are what you eat, I said. Now...
No. I...I’ve been this way as long as I can remember.
What do you mean? Look, I ain’t never seen you like this before.
It only happens when the sun goes down. "By night one way, by day another. This shall be the norm… until you find true love’s first kiss... and then take love’s true form."
Ah, that’s beautiful. I didn’t know you wrote poetry.
It’s a spell. [sighs] When I was a little girl, a witch cast a spell on me. Every night I become this. This horrible, ugly beast! I was placed in a tower to await the day my true love would rescue me. That’s why I have to marry Lord Farquaad tomorrow before the sun sets and he sees me like this. [begins to cry]
All right, all right. Calm down. Look, it’s not that bad. You’re not that ugly. Well, I ain’t gonna lie. You are ugly. But you only look like this at night. Shrek’s ugly 24-7.
But Donkey, I’m a princess, and this is not how a princess is meant to look.
Princess, how ‘bout if you don’t marry Farquaad?
I have to. Only my true love’s kiss can break the spell.
But, you know, um, you’re kind of an ogre, and Shrek-- well, you got a lot in common.
Shrek?
Princess, I...Uh, how’s it going, first of all? Good? Um, good for me too. I’m okay. I saw this flower and thought of you because it’s pretty and...well, I don’t really like it, but I thought you might like it ‘cause you’re pretty. But I like you anyway. I’d...uh, uh... [sighs] I’m in trouble. Okay, here we go.
I can’t just marry whoever I want. Take a good look at me, Donkey. I mean, really, who can ever love a beast so hideous and ugly? "Princess" and "ugly" don’t go together. That’s why I can’t stay here with Shrek.
My only chance to live happily ever after is to marry my true love.
[Shrek heaves a deep sigh. He throws the flower down and walks away.]
Don’t you see, Donkey? That’s just how it has to be. It’s the only way to break the spell.
You at least gotta tell Shrek the truth.
No! You can’t breathe a word. No one must ever know.
What’s the point of being able to talk if you gotta keep secrets?
Promise you won’t tell. Promise!
All right, all right. I won’t tell him. But you should. [goes outside] I just know before this is over, I’m gonna need a whole lot of serious therapy. Look at my eye twitchin’.
[Fiona comes out the door and watches him walk away. She looks down and spots the sunflower. She picks it up before going back inside the windmill.]
I tell him, I tell him not. I tell him, I tell him not. I tell him. [she quickly runs to the door and goes outside] Shrek! Shrek, there’s something I want...
Shrek. Are you all right?
Perfect! Never been better.
I...I don’t...There’s something I have to tell you.
You don’t have to tell me anything, Princess. I heard enough last night.
You heard what I said?
Every word.
I thought you’d understand.
Oh, I understand. Like you said, "Who could love a hideous, ugly beast?"
But I thought that wouldn’t matter to you.
Yeah? Well, it does. [Fiona looks at him in shock. He looks past her and spots a group approaching.] Ah, right on time. Princess, I’ve brought you a little something.
What’d I miss? What’d I miss? [he spots the soldiers, mumbling to himself.] Who said that? Couldn’t have been the Donkey.
Princess Fiona.
As promised. Now hand it over.
Very well, ogre. [holds out a piece of paper] The deed to your swamp, cleared out, as agreed. Take it and go before I change my mind. [Shrek takes the paper] Forgive me, Princess, for startling you, but you startled me, for I have never seen such a radiant beauty before. I am Lord Farquaad.
Lord Farquaad? Oh, no, no. [Farquaad snaps his fingers] Forgive me, my lord, for I was just saying a short... [Watches as Farquaad is lifted off his horse and set down in front of her. He comes to her waist.] farewell.
Oh, that is so sweet. You don’t have to waste good manners on the ogre. It’s not like it has feelings.
No, you’re right. It doesn’t.
Princess Fiona, beautiful, fair, flawless Fiona. I ask your hand in marriage. Will you be the perfect bride for the perfect groom?
Lord Farquaad, I accept. Nothing would make...
No! I mean, uh, why wait? Let’s get married today before the sun sets.
Oh, anxious, are we? You’re right. The sooner, the better. There’s so much to do! There’s the caterer, the cake, the band, the guest list. Captain, round up some guests! [A guard puts Fiona on the back of his horse]
Fare-thee-well, ogre.
Shrek, what are you doing? You’re letting her get away.
Yeah? So what?
Shrek, there’s something about her you don’t know. Look, I talked to her last night. She’s....
I know you talked to her last night. You’re great pals, aren’t ya? Now, if you two are such good friends, why don’t you follow her home?
Shrek, I...I wanna go with you.
I told you, didn’t I? You’re not coming home with me. [to himself] I live alone! My swamp! Me! [to Donkey] Nobody else! Understand? [to himself] Nobody! Especially useless, pathetic, annoying, talking Donkeys!
But I thought...
Yeah. You know what? You thought wrong. [stomps off]
Shrek?
[John Cale: "Hallelujah"] [Montage of different scenes. Shrek arriving back home. Fiona being fitted for the wedding dress. Donkey at a stream running into the dragon. Shrek cleaning up his house. Fiona eating dinner alone. Shrek eating dinner alone.]
People of DuLoc, we gather here today to bear witness to the union...
Um...
...of your new king.
Excuse me. Could we just skip ahead to the "I do’s"?
Shrek.
Hi, everyone. Havin’ a good time, are ya? I love DuLoc, first of all. Very clean.
What are you doing here?
Really, it’s rude enough being alive when no one wants you, but showing up uninvited to a wedding!
Fiona! I need to talk to you.
Oh, now you wanna talk? Well, it’s a little late for that, so if you’ll excuse me--
But you can’t marry him.
And why not?
Because-- Because he’s just marrying you so he can be king.
Outrageous! Fiona, don’t mind me.
He’s not your true love.
And what do you know about true love?
Well, I...Uh...I mean...
Oh, this is precious. The ogre has fallen in love with the princess! Oh, good Lord. [laughs]
An ogre and a princess!
Shrek, is this true?
Who cares?! It’s preposterous! Fiona, my love, we’re about a kiss away from your "happily ever after." Now kiss me! [puckers his lips and leans toward her, but she pulls back.]
"By night one way, by day another." [to Shrek] I wanted to show you before.
Well, uh, that explains a lot.
Ugh! It’s DISGUSTING!!!! GUARDS!!!! GUARDS!!!! I ORDER YOU TO GET THAT OUT OF MY SIGHT!!!! NOW!!!! GET THEM!!!! GET THEM BOTH!!!!
NO, NO! SHREK!
THIS HOCUS-POCUS ALTERS NOTHING!!!! THIS MARRIAGE IS BINDING, AND THAT MAKE ME KING!!!! SEE?!!? SEE?!!?
No, let go of me! Shrek!
No!
DON’T JUST STAND THERE, YOU MORONS!!!!
Get out of my way! Fiona! Arrgh!
I’LL MAKE YOU REGRET THE DAY WE MET!!!! I’LL SEE YOU DRAWN AND QUARTERED!!! YOU’LL BEG FOR DEATH TO SAVE YOU!!!!
No, Shrek!
Fiona!
I’LL HAVE YOU LOCKED BACK IN THAT TOWER FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAYS!!!! I AM KING!!!!
I WILL HAVE ORDER!!!! I WILL HAVE PERFECTION!!!! I WILL HAVE--
All right. Nobody move. I got a dragon here, and I’m not afraid to use it. [The dragon roars.] I’M A DONKEY ON THE EDGE!!!
Celebrity marriages. They never last, do they? [as the congregation cheers.] Go ahead, Shrek.
Uh, Fiona?
Yes, Shrek?
I...I love you.
Really?
Really, really.
I love you too.
Aawww!
"Until you find true love’s first kiss and then take love’s true form. Take love’s true form. Take love’s true form."
Fiona? Fiona. Are you all right?
Well, yes. But I don’t understand. I’m supposed to be beautiful.
But you are beautiful.
I was hoping this would be a happy ending.
[Shrek and Fiona kiss…and the kiss fades into their wedding kiss.]
