[ninlaith]

I think we can all agree upon one thing...if you read something you really like it sort of sticks to you forever. Tolkien had a major major affinity for Anglo-Saxon literature. In fact that was one of the subjects he studied at Oxford, but you all probably knew that. He was reading Beowulf while he was writing down the Hobbit. I believe he loved the book so much he couldn't help adding some of it to his own work. For example: a dragon resting on mounds of gold was in Beowulf which ties to our beloved Smaug, another congruence is when Beowulf arrived at Herod he was met by a guard who would not let them proceed which ties to the same incident in The Hobbit when they were met by the challege of goards blocking their path. Sorry if that's all a little vague. I must admit I have not read either of the books for a long time. I feel very remorseful for neglecting my Tolkien rituals. I'll get right on it.