also showing caution, at least at first, concerning Beowulf. The first excerpt to be examined shows Hrothgar speaking to Beowulf: "For fight defensive, Friend my Beowulf, to succor and save,

Aeneas is bound by the heroic values of a warrior class. However, while Aeneas first inclination is to fight the invading Greeks, he is presented with portents and powerful visual

has left behind. One manuscript exists in the British museum recording the epic tale of Beowulf. It has been estimated to be about a thousand years old. It

the "somber grandeur of Beowulf is still capable of stirring the hearts of readers" (31). Although the poem is English in its language and origin, the characters in the

Hygd, Freawaru, Hildeburh, Thryth and the monster Grendels mother. Most of these women seldom venture beyond conventional stereotypes of being caregivers, hostesses or keepers of the peace. Only

the eighth century A.D. He was a rather nomadic warrior, who would fight battles for country that needed his services. He was particularly close to King Hrothgar of

was the devil incarnate: "At the dawning, as day was breaking, / the might of Grendel to men was known; / then after wassail was wail uplifted, /

as they were to the ascetic life, it was a sign of their community involvement to provide hospitality and lavish amounts of food for others. It is clear from the

to serve himself. Beowulf seeks fame, glory, treasure, and the immortality of a death in combat to secure his legacy. The Anglo-Saxon poem "Beowulf," which is believed to

and Njals Saga (written in the thirteenth century) - revenge and the law are the primary themes that link each tale. They reveal much about the pagan era and

tales where women held the upper hand and men fought gallantly for the privilege of female companionship. The extent to which the patriarchal pattern was all but abandoned in

inhabitants of England with the Christian influence that were undoubtedly added by the unknown poet who set the oral epic to paper. Nevertheless, despite the additions of Christian influence, the

great mead-hall Heorot, which is ruled by Hrothgar. Section VIII of the poem pictures Beowulf addressing the assembly and bragging extravagantly about his own brave, skill and heroism. He says,