Womens Role In Beowulf

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Women such as Hrothgar’s wife Wealthow and Grendal’s mother played very crucial roles in Beowulf. Women emerge as peacekeepers, In fact, it specifically states, “Sometimes the queen herself appeared, peace-pledge between nations to hearten the young ones and hand out a torque to a warrior, then take her place.” Their appearance after killing Grendel, Grendel's mother, and after Beowulf was himself slain, wasn’t just coincidence, it was to further show the important peace-keeping role women played in their society. The mead hall in particular is where women had an interesting, almost ritualistic significance. The act of Wealthow serving the men mead is more than just graciousness because they are new visitors and are there to help her and her people. Her role as a woman was also to give recognition to the characters when they deserved it. For example, during Beowulfs first feast at Heorot, “Wealthow came in, Hrothgar’s queen, observing the courtesies, Adourned in her gold, she graciously saluted the men in the hall, handed the cup first to Hrothgar, their homelands guardian, urging him to drink deep and enjoy it because he was dear to them. And he drank it down like the warlord he was, with festive cheer…decked out in rings offering the goblet to all ranks, treating the household and the assembled troops until it was Beowulfs turn to take it from her hand. With measured words she welcomed the Geat and thanked God for granting her wish that a deliverer she could believe in would arrive to ease their afflictions”.(605-615) When Wealthow gives the cup to Hrothgar first she is showing who the boss of the place is and setting the hierarchy of the story. Also after Beowulf killed Grendal she rewarded him generously. The queen spoke: “Enjoy this drink, my most generous lord; raise up your goblet, entertain the Geats duly and gently, discourse with them…Take delight in

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