Following Beowulf's victory over Grendel, Wealhtheow offers a toast to the Geats and gives Beowulf rewards for his heroism. She tells Beowulf " have luck with this neck ring beloved Beowulf. . . accept these gifts gold gleaming treasures . . . and use the well; may you win always. . . make known your strength and save for these boys wise counsel words. . .I"ll reward you for that" (XVIII). Wealhtheow cleverly uses this opportunity to safeguard her two children from Hrothulf. Should the king meet an untimely death, Wealhtheow needs to guarantee that Hrothulf does not steal the throne from her children, the proper successors. During her toast to the large crowd of Danes and Geats Wealhtheow turns to the king and announces "[she] is sure that Hrothulf . . . [her] kind brother son will care for [her] young ones . . . guide and hold them if [he] goes before him" (XVIII). She then adds "he will surely repay us shelter for our sons . . .if he well remembers how we watched over him . . .held him as our own gave help in everything . . . shepherded our kin through a safe childhood" (XVIII). Wealhtheow controls the situation and therefore has political influence as the woman behind Hrothgar. Wealhtheow's love for her children is noble and praiseworthy, but when Grendel's mother shares this sentiment for her son, she faces a completely different response from the men of Heorot.
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Grendel's mother violates the role of traditional Anglo-Saxon female by being powerful and aggressive, but her craftiness makes her a stronger adversary than her son. The main distinction between Wealhtheow and Grendel's mother is that Wealhtheow's influence is much more subtle and nonviolent than that of Grendel's mother. Grendel's mother is a descendant of Cain and "damned to hide in a dark water-home" (II). Being a monster, Grendel's mother possesses "great warrior-strength" (II); however, since she is female, her strength is less than her sons.
Beowulf-Christianity or Paganism Beowulf was written in England sometime in the 8th century. ... Beowulf is depicted as a superhero. ... By this time Beowulf is an old man. ... The dragon in Beowulf spits fire with such intense heat that it melts Beowulf's shield to his body. ... The dragon is Beowulf's last and greatest battle. ...
In the Anglo- Saxon time period in which the novel, Beowulf, was written, women were seen to have specifically only one role that was what made them who they were. In Beowulf, one can see how women were looked down upon by the roles that the few female characters played. ... Grendel's mother portrays extremely vicious actions against Beowulf throughout the scene to show the inelegant and man-like features women had during that time period. ... Along with Grendel's mother's actions, the characteristics that were given to her, and also to Beowulf himself throughout the passage, di...
Unferth tries to ruin Beowulf's glory by telling everyone Beowulf lost a swimming match against Breca. ... For example when Beowulf defeats Grendel; "Halfdanes son presented Beowulf with a gold standard as a victory gift." ... Her behaviors show how a women and a queen should act during this time period. ... It seems women were not allowed to things that men would normally do. 13. ... To Beowulf, Wiglaf must have proved himself enough for Beowulf to honor him to be leader of the Geats. ...
Grendel's mother longs for revenge against Beowulf. ... Beowulf, the king for 50 years, fights a dragon to attain jewels. ... Beowulf brings forth this ideal image of a superhuman. ... She may be a "natural" mother, but she represents the opposite of what that culture seems to have valued in women (Perrello p 2). ... Beowulf comes forth to fight Grendel's mother and this fight initiates the change of Beowulf into this monster. ...
In Beowulf's speech to Hrothgar (1383-1396) Beowulf reprimands the King for his fears, and reminds him of the heroic code by which they lead their lives. ... ""(1395-96) Did Beowulf scolds Hrothgar because Hrothgar voiced Beowulf's innermost fears and misgivings? Is that why Beowulf dared to lash out at a king? ... For many reasons there's something wrong with this picture: first, it isn't typical for women to be brutal fighters, since they're typically nurturers, and second she doesn't fight like a woman should, women are usually sneaky and use poison. ... When...
Luizza's translation of Beowulf. As well the many Germanic elements of Christianity and discuss the roles of women in Beowulf. ... In turn, Beowulf will present these treasures to his own king, Hygelac, who will then honor Beowulf with appropriate gifts. ... Much of Beowulf is devoted to articulating and illustrating the Germanic heroic code, which values strength, courage, and loyalty in warriors; hospitality, generosity, and political skill in kings; ceremoniousness in women; and good reputation in all people. ... Performances like this are presented in Beowulf by Hrothgar's cour...
Beowulf seems to interact with women only on the political level because the only females that he comes into contact with are those of higher stature. ... The women's role is to create peace and perform good deeds. ... On the other hand Sir Gawain interacts with women in the exact opposite way as Beowulf. Sir Gawain's interactions with women is on an intimate level, rather than a political level. ... Her extreme assertiveness and seductiveness in this situation shows the women in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" as being very different than those of "Beowulf". ...
Among these insights is the Anglo-Saxon view of women and their role in society. Good Anglo-Saxon women are peaceful and unassertive, greeting guests and serving drinks to the warriors and other men in the meadhall. ... By analyzing these two characters in Beowulf, we can understand the treatment and mistreatment of women in Anglo-Saxon society. ... Other female characters in Beowulf suggest a masculine fear of female rebellion that requires forcing nontraditional Anglo-Saxon women into their appropriate roles. ... The author's views on women may never be fully revealed, but it is clear t...
Beowulf as hero of the time Every hero is known for taking a big journey. ... Beowulf is there, watching Grendel, waiting for him to strike. The creature picks up a warrior and swallows him completely, then decides to strike Beowulf but Beowulf seizes his vicious claw and holds on to it. ... This strength is a key trait of Beowulf's heroism. ... At the ceremony, Beowulf's body is burned on a pyre, as the women wail and the men share stories of his bravery. ...