The Thirteenth Warrior offers a realistic, believable recreation of the epic tale Beowulf using alienated enemies as one of its main strong points. Author Seamus Heaney translated the Anglo-Saxon novel Beowulf. John McTiernon and Michael Crichton produced the MGM motion picture The Thirteenth Warrior. Buliwyf, the main leader in The Thirteenth Warrior goes to war with the Wendol demons that were attacking King Hrothgar's people. This is a direct reflection of Beowulf, a devoted warrior and leader who fights the evil monster Grendel who was savagely attacking King Hrothgar's people. Many similarities are shown between the cannibalistic Wendols and the inhuman monster Grendel. Similarities include technique of attack, setting, and the adverse connection between Beowulf & Grendel, and Buliwyf & the Wendols. Differences are that of an army compared to only one prowler and the idea of human vs. inhuman.
A trait that both Grendel and the Wendols share is technique of attack. "The Wendols attack and eat Hrothgar's people when a certain misty fog enters the air." Grendel only attacks Hrothgar's people at nightfall. The savage ways that Grendel and the Wendols destroy the people goes to show how much power and rage was inside of them. The attacks were symbolic because it portrayed both demons being clever and cautious. Although both Grendel and the Wendols killed many people and had the upperhand during most of the battles, they were never capable of attacking the throne. The throne was considered a Holy Grail. Since Grendel and the Wendols were seen as dark demon like figures, they were not permitted.
The setting was where both monsters lived and kept stationed at, a darker version of the mead hall. The Wendols" cave, and the mere in Beowulf both represent the term exile. "Grendel who haunted the marshes and marauded round the desolate fens had delt for a long time in misery among the banished monsters in Cain's Clan.
