Women In Beowulf

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Female characters throughout the history of literature are often set aside and are usually the characters that do not get very much recognition from readers. The epic of Beowulf is admired for its heroism and male comradery that is displayed throughout the story. Beowulf is a brave and courageous hero who battles and defeats three monsters to try and save a nearby country. However, the women in this story are overlooked, but a close examination of this story shows that the female characters are very central to the story and to society. The three main women who contribute to the story of Beowulf is Hildeburh who is seen as the peacemaker, Wealhtheow who is the hostess, and Grendel’s mother who contradicts the societal expectations of women. …show more content…
The female monster uses her great physical force and violence to try and solve conflict. For example, Grendel’s mother is mostly viewed as being evil and destructive and will attack anyone that dares to try and enter into her cave without a reason (Beowulf lines 1259-1260). Her behavior is seen as being masculine and it demonstrates that the monster does not solve conflict with marriage and words, like the peacekeeper and hostess, but with her physical action. This kind of male behavior would never have been allowed regardless of what the social status was (Beowulf lines 1940-1943). Grendel’s mother exhibits masculine energy by engaging in activities that a warrior would partake in. During this society, men were to go out and try and seek vengeance; therefore if a woman was to do something like this would it be seen as villainous for disobeying the behavior that was expected of a woman in civilized society. After the death of Grendel, Grendel’s mother’s son, she goes on a journey full of sorrow to go and seek revenge for her slain son (Beowulf lines 1276-1278). Going out and seeking for vengeance is not deemed acceptable for a woman. Grendel’s mother’s actions cause her to be viewed as an outcast and a monster to the village because she does …show more content…
But, the women in the story are expected to fulfill all the duties that are given to them that can best serve the men of the land. The importance of the role of women in this story is completely underestimated. Many of the women have more power than expected for this time period. Each of their roles is central to the story and central to maintaining a civil society. The hostess is a political instrument who brings order and hospitality to the land. However, the peacemaker is responsible for weaving herself between two lands to try and form alliances. Lastly, the monster is the more complex female role that opposes the social expectations of women during this time and utilizes the law of man to try and solve problems. The author of the story does not exalt the women for their influence they have over the men, but it should be considered to fully grasp the actions that took place throughout the epic
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