Introduction to Women in Beowulf
In the first reading regarding women in Beowulf, it seems that almost all the women whether they are relations of the warrior kings and nobles or of the monsters are marginalized, or put into exclusion. However, the close reading demonstrates that they are not excluded figures at all. Rather they have attained some prominence in one or the other way through the role they played in Anglo-Saxon social life. Among the total six female figures, three are very important. They are specifically mentioned in some details about women in Beowulf.
All three exert a great influence in the lives of the state as well as within the family they live. Whereas Wealhtheow played her part as a hostess, Hildebrush became a peace-bringing maiden and the mother of Grendel became a revengeful matriarchal figure though finally tamed. All these women, through the roles they played in Anglo-Saxon society, demonstrate that women were not just put into exclusion but played important roles. Despite this, these women in Beowulf did not get much mention in the poem. Their role could be elaborated upon from three angles; as hostesses, as peace weavers, and as avenge seekers.
Heroics of Women in Beowulf
As a great hostess, Wealhtheow plays an important role in the court. She has been mentioned in very positive terms throughout the poem wherever her role is important. These terms not only show the importance of women in Beowulf as well as in Anglo-Saxon society but also the prudence that they displayed in everyday life. She is not only “heedful of courtesy” (613) but also “the ring-graced queen, the royal-hearted,” (624). She is also a stimulant in urging the warriors, for when she bent down to give a mead-cup to Beowulf, she also won a promise from him;
She greeted the Geats’ lord, God she thanked,
in wisdom’s words, that her will was granted. (626-627)
Her primary role is as a hostess in the celebration or the party. She carries the mead to every warrior. When Wealhtheow distributes the bowl of mead to everybody from Hrothgar to Beowulf, she reminds Beowulf again of his promise to get rid of Grendel. Her presence is a stimulus to Beowulf – an important role of a female impetus working behind the scene. She again appears in the second scene distributing the cup and here instead of distributing it to everybody in order, she directly goes to Beowulf, showing that he has attained a greater status than he previously held and this is distinct through a female figure. The order in which she serves made her role as a hostess very important in understanding the social ranking and importance of a figure in Anglo-Saxon society. In another interpretation, it could be deduced that as she first served the king in the first scene, it shows his power but in the second she goes to Beowulf who has attained the upper hand. However, the veiled indication of her power when she spoke amid warriors, “Through the ways of life / prosper, O prince! I pray for thee” (1230) shows how she impacts the events. It could hardly be ignored which is proof that women in Beowulf are not wholly marginalized figures.
Peacekeeping Women in Beowulf
As far as their role as peace weavers women in Beowulf is concerned, Hildebursh is a perfect example. The term peace weaver has been used in the sense that in the old English culture or Anglo-Saxon culture women were given in marriage to bring peace between two rival groups and this tradition still continues to dominate several eastern tribal societies. The story of Hildebursh, in fact, shows the nature of the conflict and battle that exists between two tribes, and she was won in the ensuing battle as war booty. Naturally, she was at the death of her near and dear ones including her husband. However, she reconciled with the new situation and perhaps married as she got a child of fighting age when she returned to the Danish people who still considered her amongst them.
Avenger Women in Beowulf
The third role of the woman is that of Grendel’s mother who played the role of a “woman monster” (2130) and an avenge-seeking mother women in Beowulf. Contrary to the first prototype, she acts like a male member bent upon avenging the death of her son. She appears in the middle of the poem but she is described in strong terms as a masculine figure, having evil nature and a monstrous body. No positive word appears for her like her counterparts in the poem such as Hildebursh and Wealhtheow. She is not only greedy but also a warrior woman, having strong nerves and the will to kill anybody who comes her way. Although a monster, she is still a woman though monsters were considered cursed human beings belonging to the tribe of Cain, and outcasts due to the murder of Abel by Cain. She proves a hardihood in the face of Beowulf and approached the king and his retainers to kill stealthily. She takes out 30 people during her first entry but did not let anybody know. This shows the role of a mother in that she, on the one hand, seeks revenge for her son and on the other hand, uses typical feminine tactics of working stealthily.
Conclusion
Hence, it is clear from these figures that women have a very important role in Anglo-Saxon society and they were not merely marginalized women in Beowulf. They were not only hostesses but also stimulants, peacemakers, and avenge-seekers as is clear from the roles of Wealhtheow Hildebursh and Grendel’s mother. However, one thing is important they were defined by their male counterparts and they were to do whatever their male heirs used to order although they were independent in their absence such as in the case of Grendel’s mother. But all in all, they were not as marginalized as has been made it out from Beowulf.
Works Cited
Relevant Questions about Women in Beowulf
- How are women in Beowulf portrayed in terms of their roles and influence on the epic’s events?
- What role do women in Beowulf play in shaping the character dynamics and societal structure within the narrative?
- In what ways do the interactions and relationships involving women in Beowulf reflect the cultural values of the time in which the epic was written?
