The Women Of Beowulf

The Women Of BeowulfAn epic tale of heroes and monsters, the story of Beowulf is filled with excitement and adventure, so far Beowulfs immensity goes far beyond that of just an excellent literary piece. It also offers more insights into the world of the seventh-century Anglo-Saxon culture. One of the things that is very prevalent in Beowulf is how women ar portrayed and expected to act in this society. Anglo-Saxon women that are still and unassertive are considered to be following their roles in society, by accost guests and serving mead to the men in the mead hall. One such example of the Anglo-Saxon women following this role is Welthow, the queen of the Danes. Women are also portrayed on the opposite end of the spectrum a perfect example of this would be Grendels get. She is a strong and fierce monster whom Beowulf must kill. By reading nigh these two women in Beowulf, we can understand the different ways women are portrayed in this society. Throughout the story of Beowulf , the author subtly supports the handed-down Anglo-Saxon views of women by praising the actions of Welthow, condemning Grendels mother, and showing the need to obstruction feminine forces like Wyrd however, the author also contradicts these views on a a couple of(prenominal) rare occasions by sympathizing with Grendels mother, allowing Welthow to assert herself in support of her family.In the story of Beowulf, Welthow is by far the one that one would think of when they image a typical Anglo-Saxon women in these times. The instance that best demonstrates this is afterwards they all return to Hrothgar. Then Welthow, Hrothgars gold-ringed queen, greeted the warriors a noble woman who knew what was right, she raised a flowing cup to Hrothgar first, holding it high for the lord of the Danes to drink, lack him joy in the feast. She thanked god for answering her prayers, for allowing her hands the happy transaction of offering mead to the heros. (Raffel 28-29) This passage gives a detailed example of what is expected of women in these times. Even on into subsequent years, Women were still expected and encouraged to allot drinks. The wife grew the grapes, harvested the grapes, made the wine, and sold the wine(Collins 26). Even though she is operating as a typical Anglo-Saxon woman she is still a queen. This is unmingled in her role from that of a conventional Anglo-Saxon woman to a peace maker when she gives a toast in the meadhall Celebrate his courage, welter and be generous while a kingdom sits in your palm, a people and power that death will steal. I live on your nephews gentleness I know hell replay in kind the goodness you befool shown him. (Raffel 51-52) With everyone gathered for the toast, Hrothulf would have second thoughts about betraying his family and victorious the throne. In another similar way, in the poem Les Voeux de Paon, a family is quarreling and with the religious service of a childlike woman peacemaker, they put down their dis agreements, Elyses, a young woman, goes to each knight asking for them to vow to discharge their obligations to arms(Murphy 6) She continues to gently persuade each of them until they all give in to laying down their weapons. However, on the other end of the spectrum we have Grendels mother. Grendels mother defies the traditional role of an Anglo-Saxon woman by being powerful and aggressive. The main difference mingled with Welthow and Grendels mother is that Welthows influence is much more subtle and nonviolent than that of Grendels mother. cosmos a monster, Grendels mother possesses great warrior-strength (Raffel 57). Grendels mother attacks Herot. Shed taken Hrothgars closest friend, The man he most loved of all men on earth, The wise old kind, trembled in anger and grief, his dearest friend and consultant dead (Raffel 57). The next morning, Beowulf follows her tracks back to her underwater lair. Beowulf goes into her underwater lair and they fight. However Beowulf did not consider the enormous strength she would have. In order to switch Grendel, Beowulf grabs one of his arms and rips off on the other hand, Grendels mother fights with Beowulf and well-nigh defeats him. Beowulf only wins the fight because of divine intervention, The ruler of the world, showed me, hanging shining and exquisite on a wall, a mighty old sword (Raffel 71) When later recounting his battle with Grendels mother, he says she fought with such strength that would surpass whatever man.Despite Beowulf being the hero and Grendels mother being portrayed as a monster, he creates kindness for Grendels mother by accepting her precedent for vengeance and suggesting a close mother-son hold. When Grendels mother is first introduced, she is depicted as a mother mourning her son and out for vengeance. It shows some savvy for her attack instead of just being evil. The author continues to build sympathy for Grendels mother by presenting her as having a clear emotional bond with her son. After her attack on Herot, Grendels mother takes the arm of her slain son. upgrade evidence of the strong emotional attachment between the two is the feature that Beowulf finds Grendels dead body in his mothers underwater lair. The last we hear of Grendel, he is fleeing from Herot with a mortal wound. One can only assume that Grendels mother was mourning the death of her son and unable to let him go.The continued financial support of appropriate female roles by presenting two separate and opposing miraculous forces that strongly influence the plot of Beowulf a masculine immortal and a feminine Wyrd, suggesting that feminine forces require suppression. Wyrd is a mysterious force that acts as a fate, bringing the heroes of Beowulf ever closer to agony and death however, God protects Beowulf and helps him in battle. Wyrd works to bring disorder and doom to Beowulf, just as Grendels mother wages war on Hrothgar and his kingdom. Beowulf is able to kill Grendels mother, death her i nfluence, however he is unable to do anything about the Wyrd except to intuitive feeling to God for help.The story of Beowulf helps paint a picture of what it must have been like to be an Anglo-Saxon woman in those times. The woman who followed the traditional roles are considered good and those who dont are cast out as monsters.Raffel, Burton. Beowulf. second ed. London Signet Classic, 2008. Print.Collins, James. French Historical Studies. French Historical Studies. 16.2 Print.Murphy, Michael. side of meat Studies. English Studies. 66.2 105. Print.