... greeting guests and serving drinks to the warriors and other men in the meadhall. Wealhtheow, the queen of the Danes, represents a typical subservient Anglo-Saxon woman. As a foil to Wealhtheow, Grendel's mother is a strong and combative monster whom Beowulf must kill. By analyzing these two characters in Beowulf, we can understand the treatment and mistreatment of women in Anglo-Saxon society ... her limited powers; accordingly, the author expands her role from that of a traditional Anglo-Saxon woman to include gift-giver and guardian of the throne. Following Beowulf's fearless victory ...

• Word Count: 1587
• Approx Pages: 6

... again. I had hung between possibilities before, between the cold truths I knew and the heart-sucking conjuring tricks of the Shaper; now that was passed: I was Grendel, Ruiner of Meadhalls, Wrecker of Kings! But also, as never before, I was alone." ( p 80). The attitude he lays out in this section ... forth this ideal image of a superhuman. His is described as this strong, powerful man whose bravery over comes his fear and fights Grendel. The fight with Grendel displays more of Beowulf's strength saying, "The captain of evil discovered himself in a handgrip harder than anything he had eve...

• Word Count: 1577
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... -"Beowulf" and Anglo-Saxon society 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 ... within a hall" (Chance 108). In Beowulf's story, Wealhtheow is used to unite the Danes and Geats so that Beowulf will help to defeat Grendel. When Beowulf reaches Heorot, everyone sits down to have a feast and celebrate the arrival of the great warrior. First Wealhtheow toasted and poured a drink ... all of ...

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

... in the Anglo-Saxon society. One's treasure could be a source of attraction for other raiders. In this poem, it is the anathema Grendel who gets attracted by the hall. Being a pariah because of his relating identity to Cain, Grendel fails to contain his grievances by listening to the song of creation from the minstrel in Heorot. "It harrowed him to hear ... a special kindness. It is exactly what Beowulf expects. For the young Beowulf, his kleos are the fame and gold which would be gained from helping Hrothgar retaining his hall from Grendel. The skirmishes between the Anglo-Saxons and th...

• Word Count: 1553
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School