Although Beowulf places female characters in positions of perceivable power female representation in the male world of Beowulf embodies negative female stereotypes. Wealhtheow, Hygd, Hildeburh, and Grendel’s Mother are female characters with higher power in their own way throughout the story. Wealhtheow occurs first in the poem at the feast of Heorot, in addition to being the wife of King Hrothgar. Wealhtheow happens to be a hostesses in the poem that makes sure her husband and all the warriors are happy and enjoying their time in the hall. Wealhtheow takes on the role of a hostess or server which embodies a stereotype for the queen. Wealhtheow like many of the other women in the male centered world of Beowulf , falls into the position
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Hygd will be introduced first in the scene before the meeting of Beowulf with King Hygelac after Beowulf arrives to Hygelac’s kingdom. Hygd like Wealhtheow, becomes illustrated as “...her mind was thoughtful and her manners sure” ( 81). Which the poet uses again enthusiastic comments kind as a backlash again to the queen. Hygd like Wealhtheow is taken as a female stereotype for her manners and her thoughtful mind as a women. Actually, Hygd is a powerful woman in the final meeting between her and Beowulf. As for her husband King Hygelac he unfortunately dies in Friesland. Beowulf comes back with gifts awaiting him from Hygd. Hygd takes the responsibility of now appointing who rises to be king of her kingdom since her husband has passed away. Hygd takes into account of Beowulf’s mighty heroic abilities to finally come to the decision of appointing him king instead of her own son who was incapable of running plus protecting a kingdom. Hygd’s perspective seems the same as Wealhtheow who was a women which saw that she needed to appoint Beowulf as king. By appointing Beowulf as king to protect her kingdom she would know her kingdom lies in safe hands since she knew her own son didn’t have the strength to do so. So she illustrates the opposite of all the negative female …show more content…
Grendel’s Mother plays the role of an angry monstrous mother getting vengeance on the man who killed her son. Which, Grendel’s Mother is doing in a sense but if you really get down to it Grendel’s Mother is just being stereotyped. Just because she is a monstrous creature in the poem does not mean this is the reason behind her vengeance. Grendel’s Mother comes to Beowulf’s world and does so by telling him since there was no head price on her son that she gets to kill him. So Beowulf accepts the challenge to battle Grendel’s Mother. No doubt, Grendel’s Mother is getting vengeance on Beowulf but for a different reason. The perspective she brings to the male-centered world that a mother will do anything to protect her
Hygd will be introduced first in the scene before the meeting of Beowulf with King Hygelac after Beowulf arrives to Hygelac’s kingdom. Hygd like Wealhtheow, becomes illustrated as “...her mind was thoughtful and her manners sure” ( 81). Which the poet uses again enthusiastic comments kind as a backlash again to the queen. Hygd like Wealhtheow is taken as a female stereotype for her manners and her thoughtful mind as a women. Actually, Hygd is a powerful woman in the final meeting between her and Beowulf. As for her husband King Hygelac he unfortunately dies in Friesland. Beowulf comes back with gifts awaiting him from Hygd. Hygd takes the responsibility of now appointing who rises to be king of her kingdom since her husband has passed away. Hygd takes into account of Beowulf’s mighty heroic abilities to finally come to the decision of appointing him king instead of her own son who was incapable of running plus protecting a kingdom. Hygd’s perspective seems the same as Wealhtheow who was a women which saw that she needed to appoint Beowulf as king. By appointing Beowulf as king to protect her kingdom she would know her kingdom lies in safe hands since she knew her own son didn’t have the strength to do so. So she illustrates the opposite of all the negative female …show more content…
Grendel’s Mother plays the role of an angry monstrous mother getting vengeance on the man who killed her son. Which, Grendel’s Mother is doing in a sense but if you really get down to it Grendel’s Mother is just being stereotyped. Just because she is a monstrous creature in the poem does not mean this is the reason behind her vengeance. Grendel’s Mother comes to Beowulf’s world and does so by telling him since there was no head price on her son that she gets to kill him. So Beowulf accepts the challenge to battle Grendel’s Mother. No doubt, Grendel’s Mother is getting vengeance on Beowulf but for a different reason. The perspective she brings to the male-centered world that a mother will do anything to protect her