Beowulf Women Essay

Throughout history, women in writing are cast as side characters and receive little to no recognition for intelligence or brawns. Beowulf depicts the role of the female as a genetically anemic and inferior character in the eyes of the male. However, women hold imperative roles in the book, they keep peace and lead beside their husbands, they are images of their superiors and keep prosperity between nations, and even create a paradox in the way a women is viewed.
The entertainer demonstrates someone who keeps the men cheerful and their cups full. Wealthhow garners an example of the Anglo-Saxon hostess. Going around the table and declaring the social statuses of the men surrounding, all by passing a horn of mead to men, is a distinguished example of a hidden power move Wealthhow possesses. The men …show more content…
Grendel's mother is a prime example of a woman who has masculine characteristics annex to a feminine physique. She is described as a humanoid figure with womanly traits. These traits, to anglo-saxons, unquestionably ranks her as beneath them. However, when she fights, she fights with a purpose, clearly with a man’s strength, (put in quote of when she fights the men). This evolves Beowulf’s opinion of her, almost forming her into a man for the sake of him to feel as though she is worthy enough to battle. She portrays a strong female antagonist and rebels against the common behavior of a woman, she fought for her beliefs, fought with strength, and fought with pride and stealth. Although she is an antagonist, this character is in some ways, a role model to women. Labeled as someone who goes against normalities and does not go down without a fight. She partakes in a blood feud with Beowulf, this is seen throughout the epic as a common violence vs. violence theme with men and their land. Grendel’s mother’s death is written as a condemnation for her switching her feminine role to one of