are epitomized, as well as how they endure within their most supreme existence, Beowulf also displays various sociological and humanistic tendencies that are not often recognized in the traditional telling.

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

of King Hrothgar in defeating a man-eating monster, Grendel, who is terrorizing his people and killing his warriors each night. There is, likewise, a similar threat to King Hrothgars people.

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

held for the ruling lord, not to a persons avocation necessarily. As is shown by the character of the Queen in her speech, kingdoms remained strong only as long as

The character of Beowulf is all but perfect, and perhaps arguably perfect. He is a man who is not arrogant or proud. He is aware of his strengths

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,

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

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

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

the Church deemed it proper to allow them to retain many of their former customs, providing those customs were not explicitly forbidden by the Bible. The same approach applies

Grendel is the stuff of pure myth. He is the amorphous evil that has no shape, yet is deadly. The monsters sole purpose is to provide a worthy adversary against

story into its form was a Christian; however, it is also offers glimpses into a remote, ancient warrior culture whose values and precepts seem strange to modern sensibilities (Donaldson 31).

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

in order to deliver the king from his enemy, Grendel. He was not asked to do this. He merely felt that it was a task which needed to be done,