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Women In Beowulf

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More Power Than A King 2 One can say that the active role women play in Beowulf is rather minimal and that they are confined to the task of playing hostess to the adventure seeking men. This, was not the case especially when one looks beyond the surface. Women throughout Beowulf play the important role of peacemaker and often give gifts and honor, both of which are very important in this culture. Without women the world Beowulf is set in would have been a maelstrom of chaos and war.

Women who play the role of peacemaker usually abide by confinement . This is because in the Medieval Ages women were not allowed much freedom. As the age went on more women started to express their opinions and perform greater roles in …show more content…

Kings would offer their daughters as gifts to avoid going to war and build alliances. Women were so vital to peace and happiness they needed to be properly looked after, even confined. If a woman was not taken care of, the king would be accused of making things pejorative. Thus setting peace negotiations back to a standstill. To secure women were to give birth to a child, interweaving the bloodlines, thus creating a peace pledge. A peace maker has great power, this exemplified by Wealtheow, and Hygd. are seen as wise leaders, and equals to men. As Beowulf celebrates his victory over Grendel, Wealtheow stands up and makes a speech celebrating Beowulf. This just shows a glimpse of the power she has in the court and around the men. Grendel 's mother is also considered a powerful female figure in Beowulf.

Grendel 's mother is shown as a very devious, and powerful mother. She embodies her masculinity and does not perform to social standards. She fights her own battles, whereas in the Anglo-Saxon society only men fought battles or sought vengeance. She is an outcast because of the fact she does not conform to society 's view of a woman. She is very hostile towards guest, and uses violence to solve everything. When Grendel, her only son,her last companion in this world dies she feels the need for vengeance. Unlike the other Grendel 's mother was very sacrilege and had physical power

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In Medieval Europe, women was an essential part of society, especially during the Middle Ages. Women had several roles they carried out that contributed to Europe's growth, such as a peasant woman and the Lady of the Manor. Women also and many expectations in society for their behavior and their way of life. Society's view on women and their treatment towards them weren't the best at times. Despite being seen as defenseless, without women, Europe would not be like it is today.

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Another key point of Grendel’s dependance on his mother can be found on pages eighteen and nineteen. On these pages, he repeatedly begs for his mother to come and rescue him as he finds stuck in two trees and injured. “Please mama please!” Grendel whines. Grendel also speaks, on page sixteen, of exploring

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In addition, Grendel’s mother does the same thing and makes other people feel the way she does. When she finds out that her son died, Grendel’s mother is in agony and so she takes revenge because she wants people to feel the torment she does. In

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In the article, Beowulf’s Androgynous Heroism, The author tells us that Beowulf is one of the “most memorable in his capacity as the masculine warrior and king.” (Robert Morrey, Beowulf’s Androgynous Heroism, University of Illinois Press) Even though he had no feminine companion beside him, he still fulfilled his roles, as he should have. Beowulf was authentically strong and unquestionably capable of standing up, even when nobody else could. He was able to stand up and arrest control when need be. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, he was struggling to be the best he could be until Enkidu died, his best friend.

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Grendel and his mother are the only two who exist of his kind and she is the only one he can confide in. However, Grendel’s mother cannot speak like Grendel can which leaves him even lonelier with no one to talk to. In attempts to communicate with humans Grendel ends up scaring them which causes their lashing out towards him. The fact that humans don’t understand him causes more of his rage to be thrown at them. His beastly actions are only in spite of their misunderstandings.

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In Beowulf women are seen a force of destruction: 8the action or process of killing or being killed, the cause of someone's ruin. 4They are mainly characterized as a monster avenging her son. In doing this she manages to destroy not only a kingdom but the king himself (lines 1321-1344). Leaving him brooding over a friend’s death not to mention the many innocent people she killed when she attacked his throne room. Even Beowulf-the

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After Grendel’s death, she channeled all that hatred and grief towards the people that harmed her child. Her love for her child lead her to commit these acts. Even though her actions are considered evil, it is natural to feel some sort of pity and sympathy for Grendel’s mother after her loss. Unlike Grendel, Grendel’s mother doesn't kill or destroy randomly. It is clear that she only wanted to take revenge for her son and targeted those that harmed him.

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Beowulf is an excellent piece with a lot for the readers to desire and relate to while reading. This analysis explores different escapades while examining the role of women in the literature. One thing to point out is that female characters have always received very thin attention in different pieces of literature, something that has always made many people think that their role is meager. Every piece of literature has an important message to pass across to its intended audiences. Indeed, this study seeks to demystify the male-centric mindset to promote the visibility of women in the contemporary interpretation of literary works demonstrating that women play a greater role in the literature despite the proximity given to male protagonist.

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Also women did not really have a say in what could happen in a situation because the men had to speak for them. Women had to be loyal to the husbands or there would be a consequence for there actions. An example for this is when Jocasta and Laius were deciding to expose Oedipus on Mount Cithaeron. Laius took the newborn Oedipus from Jocasta 's arms and sent him with someone to be left out and to be exposed. Mothers have a strong connection with their children, so it must have been very difficult for Jocasta to watch her baby be exposed.

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Throughout the Middle Ages, a woman’s role in society was extremely limited. Women were married off for the dowry their husband could provide their family, or for political advantage. (Dean and Thomson 69) Eleanor of Aquitaine was crowned the Queen of France at the age of 15 after marrying into the crown, undeniably young for her position of power. But, it was because of her position as Queen of France and eventually Queen of England that helped her to make an impact on Medieval women and their roles in society.

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Introduction Women in the Middle ages were treated as the second class members within their social class. They were taught to be obedient to their husbands and were expected to run the household and raise children. Their role in the society, however, was much more complex, while some medieval women achieved a high level of equality with men. In the Middle Ages women had a secondary role, coming second after men.

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When he shows up, Beowulf and his men attack the monster before its arm is cut off and it eventually dies. Not long after Grendel is killed, his mother comes and continues what he started. Beowulf tells the king that he will find Grendel’s mother and kill her for him. He goes to Grendel’s mothers home and finds her there but not as he had expected. She is not like Grendel because she is manipulative and beautiful which ultimately makes Beowulf stunned.

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Medieval literature portrayed women as either proper or monstrous. Lanval, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Beowulf all carry the pattern of women’s roles throughout the period of time. In Beowulf, women are portrayed in two ways, confined and unconfined. The women that adhere to the roles of wives, mothers, and

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