Luis Ayala Ayala 1

Grammar & Writing

T. Blotta
12.1
15/7/16
From Epic Poem to Reality

Without a doubt, Beowulf is probably the most famous Anglo-Saxon literature

poem. What makes The 13th Warrior so great is that it brings Beowulfs action and

adventure story to reality. The confrontations, the harsh life, even the monsters are brought

to real life realms. Of course, taking a historical epic poem to reality is not easy meaning

that there are certain differences to each in the characters, themes, and symbolisms that we

should analyze as literature students.

To understand the true similarities and differences the book and the movie want to

portray to the public, first the characters must be analyzed in order to understand how they

think and why they behave the way they do. The first character is of course, the respected,

the followed, the idolized man, the main character Beowulf. In any book, poem, or movie

that Beowulf is mentioned one realizes he is a respected man. He is the clear leader as well

as protector of his group. All the men follow his orders and tactics. The only man who tried

to diminish him ended up promptly apologizing, supporting, and almost glorifying

Beowulf.

Apart from being respected by all, Beowulf shows the same character traits in both

the poem and movie. He is courageous, dauntless, and a seeker of fame and glory.

Beowulfs goal is to reach immortality through good deeds, faith, and always fighting for

what is correct no matter the outcome. Although he is not seeking immortality in order to
live physically forever but, immortality in the sense that his name would be remembered

for ever.

Speaking on behalf of Beowulfs behavior, he is quite different in the poem than in

the movie. In the poem he is a loud, self-absorbed meat head who knows what he is capable

of and has no trouble expressing it. We can see this in the following quote, Nor have I

seen a mightier man-at-arms on this earth than the one standing here: unless I

am mistaken, he is truly noble. This is no mere hanger-on in a hero's armour."

(244-251). He is speaking of himself stating he is the strongest man on earth and is

without a doubt a natural hero.

In The 13th Warrior, Beowulfs behavior is almost the opposite from the book. He

still is a confident leader but, he is quiet and very reserved. Not once does he scream, I am

Beowulf! as he does many times in the book and other movies. He lacks showing emotion

at any time. He prefers to stay quiet and let his leadership in battle make him glorious as he

is. He also seems to be quite smarter in the movie and less impulsive. In the book, he would

be the first to react at any sine of battle, in the movie he creates a strategy and he analyzes

his opponents. In the movie after Grendels first attack he swipes blood of his sword and

says, They bleed as humans do. This was the first point when they realized that Grendel

was actually humans and not a monster.

So much talk about Grendel, its time to analyze him, or it. First of all, what is

Grendel? In the book he is a monster, a demon, direct descendant of Cain. In the movie

Grendel is actually a group of humans who believe they are bares. They are similar because

in both Grendel represents an exiled murderer but that is not why he is hated, everyone in
Anglo-Saxon life kills. He is hated because he is a bloodthirsty killer who enjoys

murdering. Adding to this, Grendel is a coward who only attacks at night and in the mist.

But even worst, Grendel is a cannibal and that is just not right in any civilization. Not even

animals are cannibals.

An Anglo-Saxon lifestyle is not easy. Grendel represents the harshness and chaos of

their life. He is the old, uncivil way, the way before Christianity.

https://rand1403.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/fear-and-rationality-how-the-13th-warrior-

modernizes-beowulf/

http://faculty.mu.edu.sa/public/uploads/1348946962.7014beowulf.pdf

http://www.shmoop.com/beowulf/identity-quotes.html