In a patriarchal society men normally have the power. This power is generally passed down from generation to generation, as seen in Sundiata where the lineage of the first kings of Mali is explained generation after generation (Niane 3). It can also be seen in the Romance of Tristan and Isolde when "the barons Andret, Guenelon, Gondoine and Denoalen pressured King Mark to take as his wife the daughter of a king who would give him an heir..."( Bedier 26). In these examples men generally have primary power. However, there is an argument to be made that women, in both Sundiata and The Romance of Tristan and Iseult, have significant power in their society. In Sundiata the power that women have can be seen as knowledge gained through experience, and cunning in using this knowledge. Sassouma Berete knows this power of cunning all too well. When Sogolon is about to marry the king, Sassouma Berete uses her cunning to spread rumors about Sogolon. As DT Niane writes in Sundiata, “It was known that she was not beautiful [Sogolon], but everyone's curiosity was aroused, and a thousand anecdotes were already circulating, most of them told by Sassouma Berete, the king's first wife” (Nian 10). This suggests that Sassouma Berete understood the power of using his experience and cunning to create a hostile atmosphere for Sogolon. When Sogolon becomes pregnant with Sundiata, Sassouma Berete begins the process of determining how this would affect her and her children. DT Niane, writes: "What would become of you, Sassouma Berete, if your son, already eight years old, were disinherited in favor of the child that Sogolon would have brought into the world?" (Nian 13). In this example Sassouma Berete uses her experience and skill... center of the card......Finally, when Iseult is about to leave for her upcoming wedding to King Mark, "her mother gathered herbs, flowers and roots and dipped them in wine and prepared a potion of power… (Bedier 41). This love potion, which was to be shared between Iseult and King Mark on their wedding night, once again shows power. that women possessed. In both Sundiata and The Romance of Tristan and Iseult women have power within the society. power is demonstrated through their knowledge, experience and cunning romance is crucial to the success and failure of both stories. Works Cited Bedier, Joseph. The Romance of Tristan and Isolde. New York: Vantage Books, 1994. Print.Niane, Djibril Tamsir., David W. Chappell and Jim Jones. Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali. Harlow, England: Pearson Longman, 2006. Print.