Masculine fear of Feminine Pow

             As an epic story of heroes and monsters, Beowulf gives its readers much excitement and adventure, but Beowulf's importance is more than just literary. It offers much insight into the beliefs and customs of seventh-century Danish culture. Among these insights is the view of woman and their role in society. Good women in this time are passive and unassertive, acting as hosts to the warriors and other men in the mead hall. Wealhtheow, the queen of the Danes, represents a typical submissive woman. On the other hand, Grendel's mother is a strong and aggressive monster who Beowulf must destroy. The author of Beowulf generally supports the traditional views of women by praising Wealhtheow, condemning Grendel's mother, and showing the need to suppress feminine forces; however, he does offer some criticism of these views by creating sympathy for Grendel's mother, allowing Wealhtheow to assert herself in the interest of her husband and children, and revealing masculine fear of feminine power.
             The author creates Wealhtheow to exemplify the role of an ideal woman in her time, and he presents this role as the only appropriate one for Wealhtheow to fulfill. She serves as a peacekeeper in the ever-chaotic Herorot meadhall. When the author first introduces Wealhtheow to his audience, she immediately falls into her role as peaceful greeter and cocktail waitress. The author writes, "Then Wealhtheow came in Hrothgar's queen she graciously saluted the men in the hall, then handed the cup first Hrothgar, their homeland's guardian" (ll. 612-16). The author then reinforces that she is a member of the weaker gender by directing Wealhtheow to her usual position behind the king. When the queen is not serving drinks or greeting the hall guests, she may usually be found obediently following Hrothgar throughout the meadhall.
             However, as queen, Wealhtheow shows her cleverne
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Masculine fear of Feminine Pow. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 10:11, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/15532.html