The Role Of Grendel's Mother In Beowulf

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Grendel’s mother is seen as a vicious character in this story, which in medieval times most women tend to play the role of a witch, demon or sorcerer. In Beowulf, Grendel’s mother played the role of a so called “Masculine Queen”. Even in the title it still seems sexist, claiming a woman cannot be powerful unless she acts masculine. According to Dorothy Porter Carr, “Grendel’s mother, is a hardier opponent than her son was, and she is certainly physically capable of carrying out her desired vengeance.” Grendel’s mother acts in a more masculine manner than the other women do; she poses some strong physical and magical powers, which in medieval times she is considered evil. Some critics compare her to Jezebel in the Bible, because she tries

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