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Women In Beowulf

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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 Even though the woman’s appearance in Beowulf is minimal. The epic of "Beowulf" illustrates three major roles for the women in the society: the hostess, the peacemaker, and the monster. The women will be introduced along with their roles in Beowulf, giving examples that clarify the centrality and prove the importance of female characters in the poem, and the correlation between the treatment of women in Beowulf and in the Angelo-Saxton period. a close …show more content…

With these words she proves she is such a great hostess, showing her generosity and kindness through her presents. In Old English poetry, noble women in their role of hostesses, also gave gifts. This act of gift giving established reciprocity, an important mutual exchange between the giver and the receiver, and played an essential part in dynastic succession. At the end of the speech, her final words reflect self-assurance and confidence, and illustrate her power over people and her right to command them: “the noble men, having drunk, will do as I ask” …show more content…

She’s independent, as she lives in her house alone and protects it herself. She confronts Beowulf on her own to take revenge for Grendel’s death. Grendel’s mother is a monster herself, which Grendel’s mother will never have functioned in social society. That society within which she functions will finally have an influence on her and will help her change her attitude: “famous for virtue, while living made good use of the life destined for her, maintained a profound love for the chief of heroes” (1951-54). Finally, both of them are tamed: Thyrth finds love in Offa and marries him (“she brought about fewer acts of malice, injuries to the people, as soon as she was given […] to the young champion, the dear prince” 1946-49), and Grendel’s mother is affected by her son’s

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