In illiterate societies three was a number that represented importance. This is primarily because one occurrence of an event isn't relevant for it cannot be compared to another event. A second occurrence has much of the same meaning: the incident is solely a coincidence that it is parallel to the first incident. The third incidence of an episode distinguished to the people that it was relevant. The repetition of three analogous scenarios allowed the people of this time and place to connect more deeply with a story.

In the great tale of Beowulf, the same rule applied to many of the important themes. The greatest and most prominent occurrence of this `rule of three' takes place in the three battles in which Beowulf partakes. In each of these three events, Beowulf comes across a great monster and is able to conquer it. Three primary...