The story of Beowulf being compared to the 13th Warrior movie which was released back in 1999 does indeed have some major similarities on their plot. Interestingly, both epic stories involved events that occurred in king Hrothgar’s kingdom.
In my own personal opinion, the events that occurred portrayed in the 13th Warrior movie had transpired before Beowulf entered the scene several years later. It was because the land was still referred as being ruled by Hrothgar, not Beowulf or Wiglaf. But, a revised and quite unique version of Beowulf seems a much acceptable explanation about their similarities.
In the 13th Warrior movie, the name of the hero who led his army against the demon creatures was “Buliwyf” which is very close to the name of “Beowulf”. Both of them had a small army when they entered king Hrothgar’s kingdom to fight some evil forces.
Although, Buliwyf wasn’t exactly a demon slayer or hunter who purposely seek for such kind of creatures to slay. He was a reputable warrior who was a great soldier of his nation sworn to defend his people. While for Beowulf, he was more of an adventurer who traveled various places in search for demons to kill. He actually gained his fame by slaying powerful evil beings.
Perhaps the most obvious similarity is that, both hero died at the end but in a different way. Beowulf gets to die at an old age when he fought and defeated a dragon. While for Buliwyf, he died for a shortwhile from poison when he killed the leader of the Wendols which was their main mission.
In Beowulf, Wiglaf was his sidekick and a close friend. He was the only person who survived and witnessed all of the mighty slayer’s legacy. When Beowulf was about to die, he revealed his secret affair with Grendel’s mother. However, Wiglaf won’t accept the truth and persisted that his secret affair never happened.
Ahmad ibn Fadlan was Wiglaf’s counterpart in the 13 Warrior. Although, he was no close friend of Buliwyf but just a Nobody guy who got recruited against his own will. His similarity to Wiglaf is that, he survived their risky mission and lived to tell their tale.
The Spare Dane kingdom in terms of the Beowulf story had only three powerful evil creatures. Grendel who was a scary troll look-alike giant monster and his mother who was interpreted in the 2007 Beowulf film as a giant golden snake but with the human appearance of Angelina Jolie. The third creature was a dragon that later appeared when Beowulf was already an old man.
Grendel alone was actually unstoppable that the king Hrothgar himself had lost hope.
Wendols are the only one kind of demonic creatures in the 13th Warrior movie but they had countless numbers. Although, they also have two leaders who were the “Mother of the Wendol” and the Warlord. In my opinion, the entire Wendol army is the dragon’s counterpart in Beowulf. While, Grendel for the Warlord and the mother for the golden snake.
Moreover, the main plot and general concept of both stories are so plainly obvious in the eyes of those who are familiar with it. But despite of their similarities on those two aspects, there are still too many differences particularly the characteristics of the characters involved.
In my own personal opinion, the events that occurred portrayed in the 13th Warrior movie had transpired before Beowulf entered the scene several years later. It was because the land was still referred as being ruled by Hrothgar, not Beowulf or Wiglaf. But, a revised and quite unique version of Beowulf seems a much acceptable explanation about their similarities.
The Brave Hero Beowulf and Buliwyf
In the 13th Warrior movie, the name of the hero who led his army against the demon creatures was “Buliwyf” which is very close to the name of “Beowulf”. Both of them had a small army when they entered king Hrothgar’s kingdom to fight some evil forces.
Although, Buliwyf wasn’t exactly a demon slayer or hunter who purposely seek for such kind of creatures to slay. He was a reputable warrior who was a great soldier of his nation sworn to defend his people. While for Beowulf, he was more of an adventurer who traveled various places in search for demons to kill. He actually gained his fame by slaying powerful evil beings.
Perhaps the most obvious similarity is that, both hero died at the end but in a different way. Beowulf gets to die at an old age when he fought and defeated a dragon. While for Buliwyf, he died for a shortwhile from poison when he killed the leader of the Wendols which was their main mission.
The Sidekicks
In Beowulf, Wiglaf was his sidekick and a close friend. He was the only person who survived and witnessed all of the mighty slayer’s legacy. When Beowulf was about to die, he revealed his secret affair with Grendel’s mother. However, Wiglaf won’t accept the truth and persisted that his secret affair never happened.
Ahmad ibn Fadlan was Wiglaf’s counterpart in the 13 Warrior. Although, he was no close friend of Buliwyf but just a Nobody guy who got recruited against his own will. His similarity to Wiglaf is that, he survived their risky mission and lived to tell their tale.
The Evil Creatures of Spare Dane
The Spare Dane kingdom in terms of the Beowulf story had only three powerful evil creatures. Grendel who was a scary troll look-alike giant monster and his mother who was interpreted in the 2007 Beowulf film as a giant golden snake but with the human appearance of Angelina Jolie. The third creature was a dragon that later appeared when Beowulf was already an old man.
Grendel alone was actually unstoppable that the king Hrothgar himself had lost hope.
Wendols are the only one kind of demonic creatures in the 13th Warrior movie but they had countless numbers. Although, they also have two leaders who were the “Mother of the Wendol” and the Warlord. In my opinion, the entire Wendol army is the dragon’s counterpart in Beowulf. While, Grendel for the Warlord and the mother for the golden snake.
Moreover, the main plot and general concept of both stories are so plainly obvious in the eyes of those who are familiar with it. But despite of their similarities on those two aspects, there are still too many differences particularly the characteristics of the characters involved.
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