Differences of The 13th Warrior and Beowulf

        The 13^th warriors, in my opinion, is not totally different from Beowulf. They have many similarities and differences. The two have generally the same central idea of trying to find an epic hero and trying to rescue people out of the monster’s atrocity. Firstable, one of the smaller difference are the names of the characters. Beowulf is called Buliwyf in the film and the addition of the 13^th warrior to fight with Beowulf called Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan. The perspective of the two is also different. The story of the 13^th warrior is filmed through the perspective of the 13^th warrior, Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan. However, in Beowulf, the story is described through a third person perspective. I would say that different form the poem Beowulf, the warriors in the film are somewhat confused about the goal of the journey and at times of decision making rather than devoted to whatever the decisions Beowulf made as in the poem. For example, the 13^th warrior is confused why he is chosen to fight, for he is not even a warrior. However, we can see the different personalities of the warriors. Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan is actually a sympathetic man because he saves the child who was running away from the attack and has a compassionate heart for those who are suffering. I will also say Beowulf in the film is more of a kind and sympathetic man who wishes to purge the monsters rather than like in the poem, he came to Herot to prove his almightiness in battling. In all, the film shows more of the parts of how each warrior show of their own personalities and physical strength rather than just Beowulf gaining the credits and fame himself.

        There are also small changes in characters. For example, in the film, there are more than one monster. There are others dragons who accompany Grendel rather than just Grendel who appears. It was like a race. Also, Beowulf in the film did not kill the monsters the first time compared to the poem. He only killed the monsters the second time and get scratched and poisoned by the mother monster. In the poem, Beowulf was hurt by another dragon ho guards treasure in the mountains. Another different fact is that the monsters only take away the dead man’s head rather dragging the whole body down to his den to devour, as in the poem, to devour themselves.