Women In Beowulf

Role of Women in the Anglo-Saxon Society through Beowulf Men in the Anglo-Saxon Society were dominant and were seen as leaders. The men were the leaders or head of the household and their role was to protect their family. According to the Hennequin Article, all of the women in Beowulf were described as “ides” or “wif” (Hennequin 504). Hennequin also states, that in the Anglo-Saxon Dictionary ides is “A woman” but more likely means “powerful lady” or “noble lady” (Hennequin 515). Unlike men in the Anglo-Saxon Society the “powerful lady” or “noble lady” were referring to queens, noblewomen, mothers of powerful men, and female saints (Hennequin 515). Women of this time were known as the “peaceweavers”, cupbearers or hostesses, and the opposite

The women are often used to patch feuds between the tribes (Beowulf Notes 17). An example of this is Hildeburh that is one of the three queens in Beowulf, or “noble lady”. Hildeburh is introduced in Beowulf starting at line 1070 to line 1158, she is the daughter of Hoc, Danish King, and the wife of Finn, King of Frisians. The peace between the two nations did not last long. In lines 1070-1075, Hildeburh losses both her son and brother on the same battle field fighting on opposite sides, “Hildeburh had little cause to credit the Jutes: son and brother, she lost them both on the battlefield. She bereft and blameless, they foredoomed, cut down and spear-gored.” Hildeburh later losses her husband stated in lines 1146-1150, “Thus blood was spilled, the gallant Finn slain in his home after Guthlaf and Oslaf back from their voyage made old accusation: the brutal ambush, the fate they had suffered, all blamed on Finn.” Now Hildeburh mourns the loss of her son, brother, and

“Wealhtheow came in, Hrothgar’s queen, observing the courtesies. Adorned in her gold, she graciously saluted the men in the hall, then handed the cup first to Hrothgar, their homeland’s guardian, urging him to drink deep and enjoy it because he was dear to them.” In the next few lines after passing the cup to her husband Hrothgar in the mead-hall she continues “offering the goblet to all ranks” (English Literature, Beowulf 53). She gives the goblet to her husband first to show that he is the “master” or man in charge and ends with Beowulf because he is the newest member at the table in the