The Role of Women in Beowulf Essay PDF

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Halley Myers The Role of Women in Beowulf In both literature and in society, gender roles refer to a set of norms that are considered to be socially appropriate for the individuals of a given sex. Differing from the customs associated with women today, females in the 500s were subservient in a patriarchal culture that placed no value on them besides fulfilling domestic needs. Perhaps this is why the epic poem, Beowulf, stresses the importance of male heroism and minimizes the appearance of women, as it was written during the Anglo-Saxon era. Although their appearance is limited and brief, it is true that the women of Beowulf play crucial roles as enemies, peaceweavers, and cautionary tales. Thryth, whose story is told in order to contrast her cruelty with the behavior of Hiygd in the Thryth-Offa digression, serves as a cautionary tale to the nature of Grendel’s mother. Described as, “An imperious princess with a vicious tongue and so fierce and wild that her father’s followers averted their eyes as she passed,” (Lines 1932-1934) Thryth would have any man killed who so much as stared at her. The means in which she would settle disputes was a sin, “for a woman, whether fair or black, to create fear and destruction, who should walk in the ways of peace, to kill with pretended results” (Lines 1940-1943). Although she later married Offa, who tamed her and released her from a world of violence and malevolence, her character serves as a cautionary tale and foreshadows the actions of Grendel’s mother. When a man would look at her, Thryth would have them executed out of vengeance. Shown in later events, Grendel’s mother would also kill out of vengeance; in fact, she kills Hrothgar’s closest companion after discovering Grendel’s corpse. In addition, Thryth’s behavior resembles that of a monster, though she is mortal; she kills without mercy and gives no legitimate reason for doing so. Grendel’s mother, who actually is a monster, attacks without reason, as well. Because she serves as a

cautionary tale to the nature of Grendel’s mother, indicated through the striking similarities between both characters, Thryth plays a fundamental role in this epic poem. While Thryth serves as a cautionary tale, Grendel’s mother plays the important role of the enemy, as demonstrated through her battle against the protagonist of the story. Although she is not as strong and powerful as her son, who could kill thirty men at once, she is motivated by revenge. This is why she kills Hrothgar’s companion after discovering Grendel’s mortally wounded body, ultimately challenging Beowulf to fight in her under-water battle hall. However, this battle differs from the one fought against Grendel in that Beowulf is almost defeated by Grendel’s mother. Although she is eventually killed by a magic sword crafted by the giants and blessed by God, which Beowulf discovers moments before his demise, Grendel’s mother’s role in this poem is still incredibly important to the, “organic unity of Beowulf because it suggests the possibility that the hero may be defeated” (Olsen 312). Furthermore, it suggests that a woman can overpower and defeat a man, which is a complex and futuristic concept in that women were thought to have no power over men during the Anglo-Saxon time period. With that, Grendel’s mother is a character must not be overlooked, as she plays an important role in this epic poem as an enemy to Beowulf and the Danes. Differing from the monstrosity of Grendel’s mother and Thryth, Wealhtheow, who is the Queen of the Danes and Hrothgar’s wife, serves as a peaceweaver in this story. Although she is described as, “mindful of etiquette,” (Line 613) “a noble-hearted queen,” (Line 624), and “perfect in speech,” (Line 624), her gentle behavior should not be mistaken for subservience, and thus must be greatly considered. Her role as a peaceweaver, “has to do with the duty of carrying the mead cup and pass it to the kind and warriors. This apparently unimportant task is more revealing than we may think; it establishes a hierarchy in the hall” (WordPress.com). She

establishes a hierarchy in the hall by first passing the mead cup to Hrothgar, then to the knights, and then to Beowulf, suggesting that Beowulf’s is ranked at a lower status. This act also makes Beowulf aware of who is in charge. During the second celebration, however, Wealhtheow passes the mead cup to Beowulf immediately after passing it to the king, showing that he has risen in status after defeating Grendel. With that, it is critical to note that she is not the “passive, tragic, and sorrowing queen” (Olsen 319) that many mistake her to be. Her simple act in passing the mead cup, bringing peace to the hall, conceals the deeper meaning behind it, which is essential to the poem as a whole. Highlighting the importance of ranking and social status in a story of violence and unrest, Wealhtheow serves as the crucial role of a peaceweaver. Although Beowulf was written during a time where no value was placed upon females, a modern analysis of the role of women in this epic poem allowed for their recognition and deep consideration. These women include Grendel’s mother, Wealhtheow, and Thryth, who play essential roles that are important to the story as a whole. While Thryth serves as a cautionary tale to the nature of Grendel’s mother, Grendel’s mother serves as the enemy to the protagonist, Beowulf, and his followers. On the other hand, Wealhtheow plays the role of a peaceweaver, whose simple act of passing the mead cup helps to establish ranking and civilization despite the surrounding chaos.

Works Cited

Bjork, Robert E., and John D. Niles. A Beowulf Handbook. Lincoln: U of Nebraska, 1997. Print. Raffel, Burton, trans. Beowulf. Ed. Roberta Frank. New York: New American Library, 1963. Print. "The Role of Women in Beowulf." LiteratureEssays.WordPress.com. WordPress.com, 23 Mar. 2013. Web. 02 Nov. 2014....