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The epic poem Beowulf is the most important work of Old English literature, and is well deserved of the distinction. The epic tells the story of a hero, named Beowulf, who rids the Danes of the monster Grendel, an ancestor of Cain, and of his adventures fighting Grendel's mother and a Dragon. Throughout the epic, the storyteller uses many elements to build a certain depth to the characters. Just a few of the important character elements in Beowulf are fortune and respect, religious and irreligious, and man versus evil themes (Cooper). Many of the characters in Beowulf are, like in most epics, defined by their standing and importance. But, in addition to standing, culture also adds an element of respect. To the people of the time, a character's importance is not only measured in monetary terms, but it was also measured in terms of honor, fame, and accomplishments (Cooper). Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, is one example of the Anglo-Saxon measurement of importance in Beowulf. Hrothgar has a great deal of compassion for his warriors and his people. Through this compassion, Hrothgar proves the full extent of his honor and therefore the extent of his wealth and status (Muni). Beowulf, the hero, also proves his true w