Who is Lord Farquaad? The villain of Shrek explained
In the Shrek franchise, Lord Farquaad's character depicts the brutish side of power. It shows how someone wielding power could be uncaring and derive joy when their subjects are in pain. As an authoritarian who rules his kingdom with an iron fist, attacking him requires being ready for grave consequences.
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Lord Farquaad is popular because of his continuous pursuit of power and recognition despite having more than enough. His arrogance is unblemished, and he takes every opportunity to show his unbelief in mythical creatures like fairies.
Profile summary
| Real name | Lord Markiloz Maximus "Bogovski" Ferdo Farquaad |
| Nickname | Lord Farquaad, Farquaad, Ghost Farquaad, Liege |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 15 April 1451 |
| Age | 572 years old (as of February 2024) |
| Zodiac sign | Aries |
| Place of birth | Kingdom of Orinion |
| Specie | Human and Halfling |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Height | 4'6" (138 cm) |
| Weight | 95 lbs (43 kg) |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Blue |
| Relationship status | Married |
| Wife | Fairy Godmother |
| Children | Princess Charming |
| Profession | Ruler of Duloc City |
Who is Lord Farquaad?
Lord Farquaad is the diminutive yet domineering antagonist of the animated film Shrek. He captivated audiences with his ruthless pursuit of power and his larger-than-life personality. Despite his short stature, his role in the film makes him a compelling figure worthy of analysis.
What country is Lord Farquaad from?
This character was introduced as the ruler of Duloc, a meticulously organised kingdom where he seeks to create his version of perfection.
His disdain for fairy-tale creatures sets the stage for his villainous schemes, as he enforces discriminatory policies and attempts to cleanse his realm of anything he deems unworthy.
Farquaad's character design, resembling a medieval nobleman with a modern twist, reflects his arrogance and narcissism. His signature pageboy haircut also adds to his distinctive appearance.
What makes Lord Farquaad a villain?
At the core of this character's villainy lies his insatiable thirst for power and recognition. Despite ruling over Duloc, his lack of royal lineage fuels his desire to marry Princess Fiona, viewing her as a means to legitimise his claim to the throne.
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His fixation on achieving kingly status drives him to extreme measures, including orchestrating a tournament to find a champion to rescue Fiona from her dragon-guarded tower.
Who is Lord Farquaad's character based on?
Shrek's Lord Farquaad's appearance is speculated to have been inspired by Michael Eisner, the then-CEO of The Walt Disney Company. This is possibly due to producer Jeffrey Katzenberg's animosity toward his former employer.
How is the personality of Lord Farquaad?
A potent blend of arrogance, narcissism, and insecurity characterises Lord Farquaad's personality. His Napoleon complex, stemming from his diminutive stature, manifests in his authoritarian leadership style and tendency to overcompensate for his perceived weaknesses.
Farquaad's treatment of others, particularly fairy-tale creatures, reveals his xenophobic tendencies and his willingness to exploit and oppress those he deems inferior.
Despite his cruelty, Farquaad displays moments of cunning manipulation and strategic thinking, showcasing the complexity of his character.
Lord Farquaad and Fiona
His kingly ambitions inspired Lord Farquaad's decision to rescue Princess Fiona from captivity. However, after Shrek rescues the princess at his request and she turns into an Ogress, his true intentions come to life as he rejects her and schemes on how to get rid of Ogre, who helped him get to her in the first place.
Lord Farquaad’s actions and consequences
Lord Farquaad's actions catalyse the film's narrative and central conflicts. From his initial decree to exile fairy-tale creatures to his attempt to marry Princess Fiona forcibly, his schemes drive the plot and force the protagonists to confront him head-on.
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His disregard for the lives and rights of others leads to dire consequences, ultimately culminating in his demise at the jaws of the dragon he sought to manipulate. His downfall serves as poetic justice, highlighting the consequences of his authoritarian rule and his disregard for the value of life.
How tall is Lord Farquaad?
He is allegedly four feet and six inches tall, which explains why he is often called a short man. But why was Lord Farquaad short? His short stature was a character device, defining his deep insecurity about height.
Lord Farquaad's memes
Several memes about Farquaad's character abound online and have furthered the fame that he enjoys among fans of the Shrek franchise. These memes fit into various situations, including the phase where a person grows their hair.
Lord Farquaad's looks, hair and style are some of what makes the character peculiar among fans. Reading Lord's memes and how it was presented will get you thinking about how creative people can be sometimes.
Source: UGC
Shrek's characters and their voice actors
Aside from Lord Farquaad, several characters make the Shrek franchise an exciting watch as they embody the themes that the creator and animators were looking to infuse in the movie. They include these:
| Character | Voice actor |
| Shrek | Mike Myers (originally intended to be voiced by Chris Farley) |
| Donkey | Eddie Murphy |
| Princess Fiona | Cameron Diaz, singing voice by Sally Dworsky (first film), Renee Sands (other occasions), Holly Fields (video games) |
| Puss in Boots | Antonio Banderas (films), Eric Bauza (TV series), Frank Welker (vocal sounds and purrs), André Sogliuzzo (video games, commercials) |
| Kitty Softpaws | Salma Hayek Pinault (films), Margo Rey (The Trident) |
| Three Blind Mice | Christopher Knights, Simon J. Smith, and Cody Cameron (films) |
| Pinocchio | Cody Cameron (films) |
| Big Bad Wolf | Aron Warner (films) |
| Fairy Godmother | Jennifer Saunders (films) |
Lord Farquaad, as depicted in Shrek, has become an iconic character, sparking endless discussions and parodies. His unique appearance, memorable lines, and nuanced character have cemented his status as one of animation's most recognisable villains. His pivotal role in Shrek allegedly established a foundation for the franchise's enduring success.
READ ALSO: Squidward Tentacles: All about SpongeBob's neighbour
As published on Briefly, arrogant, short-tempered, sassy, introverted, and misanthropic traits define Squidward J. Q. Tentacles.
He is known as the widely renowned grumpy neighbour of SpongeBob in Nickelodeon's long-running animated series SpongeBob SquarePants.
Source: Briefly News
