Women In Beowulf

Beowulf is known for displaying the importance of male heroism via Beowulf, but what about the significance of the women in the poem? The significance of women in Beowulf is overshadowed by the great heroism of the character Beowulf, but the women each have a reason for participating in the epic. The ideal woman was someone who was a noble, a mistress and loyal. An ideal woman is described in Maxim I: “at mead drinking she must at all times and places approach the protector of princes first, in front of the companions, quickly pass the first cup to her lord’s hand”. The significance of women in Beuwolf is a minor detail in the epic, but proves to be vital to Beuwolf. The epic of "Beowulf" illustrates three major roles for the women in the

Wealththeow offers the cup to Hrothgar, the king, first. This made it apparent that he is the most powerful figure in the hall, the king: þa freolic wif ful gesealde ærest East-Dena eþelwearde (615-616) “the noble woman gave the goblet first to the guardian of the East Danes’ homeland Then, she passes it to the rest of the knights, and finally to Beowulf. He promises to get rid of Grendel, and Wealhtheow, pleased with his words, returns to her seat. He is the last man to receive the cup because he is a newcomer, a foreigner that just arrived to Heorot. Because of this, Hrothgar needs to show his power, by receiving the goblet first, in the presence of the stranger Beowulf. This act makes Beowulf aware of who is the master of the place. When Wealhtheow offers the cup to the king first, as usual, and right after that to Beowulf. Since he kept his promise and killed Grendel, he has risen in status now. He has the honour to receive the mead cup right after the king, in representation of his newly earned status. The other hostess-queen is the young and beautiful Hygd, king Hygelac’s wife., she is contrasted in the poem with the legendary queen Modthryth and her innate cruelty and wickedness; because of her gentleness and kindness. The importance of order in the distribution of the cup is present again in Hygd’s first appearance (1980-83): “Hæreth’s daughter moved through the

She has an even smaller appearance in the poem than Hildeburh, but again, her role as peaceweaver makes her important. She marries Ingeld, the king of the Heathobards. These two tribes had been enemies for many years. This is another example of a “story within the story”, just like it happens with Hildeburh. In this case, Freawaru’s story is told by Beowulf to his king (2020-2069), Hygelac, after he returns to his land. He doubts that this story will be successful, given the tension existing between the two tribes. This marriage was so desired by the Danes because they had killed Ingeld’s father in one of the battles, and were trying to avoid their revenge. Finally, it is Ingeld himself who decides to avenge his father’s death killing those who destroyed