The Improbable Probable Truth
Beowulf, Grendel and The Thirteenth Warrior are all entirely different takes on Grendel’s war with the Danes. In the book Grendel by John Gardner, Grendel’s isolation contributes to his lack of intelligence and disregard of other’s opinion, making John Gardner’s book the most probable truth.
The contrasting characteristic between Grendel, Beowulf and The Thirteen Warrior is the fact that Grendel’s story shows his faults and self-doubt when he says “My heart was light with Hrothgar’s goodness, and leaden with grief at my own bloodthirsty ways”(48). In this quote Grendel exemplifies that he does not think he is the ultimate being, instead it highlights his insecurities. In Beowulf, it is the opposite when he says “No, man swims in the sea as I can, no strength is a match for mine”(27), showing no self-doubt whatsoever. The stories of Beowulf and The Thirteenth Warrior both portray only confidence and narcissism in the main characters. Since the main characters in Beowulf and the thirteenth warrior don’t portray any feelings that humans can easily relate to, it is implausible that these stories are true.
Grendel’s seemingly schizophrenic mind, isolation and lack of intelligence display the least tainted version of the three stories. Grendel is a lonely, secluded character that cannot communicate with the world around him. Grendel is comparable with a baby; like a baby, Grendel does not change any of his behaviors on account of others because he cannot communicate with them and thus is less intellectual. Since he cannot communicate with the world around him he is not influenced by what is accepted by others. Therefore, his mind is not expanded enough to change his own story to the liking of others.
The movie the thirteenth warrior is the least credible story of the three. It is simple, movies are made to make money, not to depict any truth whatsoever, and more times then not they don’t. Also the movie the thirteenth warrior is the...