How Historically Accurate is How to Train Your Dragon?

When I watched the animated series How to Train Your Dragon, I was a huge fan of its compelling narrative and engaging storyline. However, as a history enthusiast, I was curious to explore the historical accuracy of the series, especially in terms of Vikings, Norse mythology, and the depiction of dragons. This article delves into the historical accuracy of how How to Train Your Dragon portrays its various elements, focusing on setting, culture, characters, dragons, and themes.

Setting and Culture

The story of How to Train Your Dragon is set in a fictional Norse-inspired world. While the show draws elements from Viking culture, such as seafaring dragon lore and tribal communities, it is not a direct representation of any specific historical Viking society. The characters, including Hiccup and Stoick, are archetypal representations rather than historically accurate figures. They embody traits associated with Viking culture but are, at their core, fictional.

Dragons

Mythical Creatures: Dragons are the central characters of the story, and they are purely mythical. Although dragons appear in various mythologies across cultures, their portrayal in How to Train Your Dragon is fictional. The concept of training dragons reflects broader themes of understanding and coexistence with nature, but it does not have historical precedents in Viking culture.

Themes and Morals

Friendship and Understanding: The underlying themes of friendship, empathy, and overcoming prejudices resonate with modern values. However, these themes are not specific to any historical context. The peaceful coexistence with dragons portrayed in the series contrasts with the historical Viking raids and conflicts, which are driven by a pursuit of power and resources.

Historical Inspiration and Accuracy

Historical Elements: The film incorporates elements inspired by Norse mythology and Viking life, such as longships and mead halls. For example, the language used in the Book of Dragons resembles an old runic alphabet, which was a writing system used in Europe, Britain, Scandinavia, and Iceland from about the 3rd to 16th or 17th century AD. Historically, the Viking period spans 793 to 1066 AD, and the use of runes in the show is spot-on. However, the Book of Dragons's grammar is not based on actual Old Norn, the extinct language from which modern Scandinavian languages are descended.

Geographical Accuracy: While some of the locations in the series, such as Bear Island in Norway, were based on real locations, the distances between these locations and the travel times depicted in the series could be considered accurate to a degree. The show presents a plausible but highly unlikely scenario for the travel time.

Religion and Vikings: In the series, the main gods that the characters believe in are Thor and Odin, which are historically accurate as the most powerful deities in Norse mythology. However, the Norse believed in many other gods and goddesses, which the series did not mention. Some days of the week, such as Thursday, do have Viking origins, though this claim is not 100% certain.

Cultural Representation

The representation of Vikings in How to Train Your Dragon is largely a mix of cultural stereotypes. A Viking was an occupation, not a culture in itself. The series portrays Vikings as a homogeneous culture, which is inaccurate. The Norse did not hunt all their lives, and the depiction of horned helmets is also inaccurate. Popular culture often portrays Vikings as wild-haired, dirty savages, but the reality is that the Norse were normal people just like every other European from that period.

Conclusion

In summary, How to Train Your Dragon has some historical and geographical accuracy, particularly in elements like the use of runes and the portrayal of real geographical features. However, the show is rich with cultural stereotypes and anachronistic depictions of Vikings. While it provides an engaging and imaginative take on Norse mythology and Viking life, it is not a documentary-style retelling of history. As a fan and a history enthusiast, I hope this article offers you a deeper understanding of the series' historical and cultural elements.