Women in Beowulf
In the poem Beowulf the women play the role of peace-keepers at any cost. Among these women I will look closely at Wealhtheow, Grendel's mother and Hygd. Through all the women in Beowulf one can see a female perspective of honor, loyalty and social welfare. Wealhtheow is the picturesque queen. One sees this when she meets the nobles after Beowulf has defeated Grendel. The narrator explains how she is, ". . . mindful of customs, gold-adorned . . . the noble woman offered the cup . . ." (Norton 35). This imagery perfectly describes a queen. Wealhtheow is a role model of courtly behaviors and duties. She makes offerings to Beowulf and tells him to, ". . . Wear this ring . . . with good luck, and make use of this mail shirt from the people's treasure, . . ." (Norton 43) The queen is giving him gifts as tokens of appreciation and loyalty for what he has done for the Danes. She is a strong and positive figure in all the confusion and battle. Wealhtheow does have a private conversation with her husband. She
These three women use many tactics to honor, protect and uphold their society just as much as any warrior. When Beowulf gets back to his home the narrator says how, ". When one looks at Grendel's mother we see, as the narrator puts it, ". Hygd offered him the hoard and kingdom, rings and a prince's thrown. Freawaru's father Hrothgar implies, ". She does not trust her son and wants Beowulf to have the honor because of his great loyalty.
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Barbara Cook,
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Acceptance Essays
