... tell a different story, however. There are quite a few models of powerful women in this epic-Grendel's mother, for example-but none is more expressive of true Anglo-Saxon culture than Wealhtheow. One of the most common duties given to women was that of "peaceweaver". This is done "either biologically through ... have been different based on where they lived, all these men needed to embody the same personality traits. The heroes of both Anglo-Saxon literature and culture had to have the characteristics of both heroes and warriors. "A hero had to be strong, intelligent, and courageous. Wa...

• Word Count: 1584
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... Though delicately kept in the back ground, such a Christian interpretation of the main story on the part of the Anglo-Saxon author could not but give added strength and tone to the entire poem. It helps to explain one of the great puzzles of our epic. Why the poet himself with a plot of mere fabulous adventures so much inferior to the splendid heroic setting, ... Anglo-Saxon backdrop. Klaeber elaborates, "The figure of Grendel at any rate, while originally an ordinary Scandinavian troll, and passing in the poem as a sort of man monster, is at the same time conceived of as an impersonat...

• Word Count: 2211
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate