Dragon (Shrek)

Dragon is a fictional character from the computer animated Dreamworks film Shrek as well as its spin-offs and sequels. Dragon resembles most classical interpretations of European dragons. She has keeled, ruby-colored scales, leathery bat-like wings, long crested ears, bony spikes along her jawline, a row of dorsal spines, slitted eye pupils, and a long, spade-tipped, prehensile tail to aid in counterbalance. Dragon does not speak, but does employ physically expressive body language to communicate. Like her mate Donkey, Dragon is never given a proper name in the films. Curiously, an online review of a Dragon action figure suggests that her name is "Diane," but no official sources are cited.

In the first film, Shrek, Dragon had the task of guarding Princess Fiona in her isolated castle. The number of charred skeletons clearly visible indicates her success in this endeavor. While Shrek attempted to rescue the princess, Donkey found himself at the mercy of Dragon. Upon learning that his captor is female (due to stereotypical feminine features like long eyelashes and facial markings that look much like human cosmetics) Donkey began spouting flattery in order to distract her. Dragon then became infatuated with the smooth talker, despite the fact that her love was unrequited. As a result, she picks him up in her teeth and carries him to her chambers, where she wraps him in her tail and flirts with him. Shrek soon comes back to "save his ass" (a pun referring to Donkey), and the trio escape from the castle, leaving a chained and miserable Dragon in their wake. The lonely guardian is not seen again until later in the film, having escaped and abandoned Fiona's volcanic keep. She and Donkey make amends, and aid Shrek in his quest to save Fiona from marrying Lord Farquaad. Dragon disposes of the villainous lord by swallowing him.

Dragon reappeared in Shrek 4-D, in which she helped Shrek and Donkey evade a statue of a dragon that had been brought to life. Dragon attempts to battle the creature, but she is no match against it and has to hastily escape.

In Shrek 2, Dragon is absent for much of the film. Donkey claims at the film's beginning that she had been "all moody and stuff" recently, explaining his unannounced arrival at Shrek's swamp. Nevertheless, Dragon makes a full appearance in a post-credits scene, in which she arrives with six young "dronkeys" - dragon-donkey hybrids that meet their clueless father for the first time. The film implies that Dragon was absent due to brooding her young, though it's not known whether Dragon is oviparous or viviparous.

Dragon yet again played a small role in Shrek the Third. She and her young dronkeys stay behind with Fiona and the other "princess" characters to await Shrek's return. When Prince Charming attacks Far Far Away, Dragon is captured and disarmed by a large iron chain cast net; her dronkey offspring are caught and imprisoned, as well. At the film's climax, Dragon helps dispose of Prince Charming by knocking over a stone stage prop keep on top of him.