The Relationship Between Queens as Peaceweavers and Treasure in Beowulf
The period in which the Beowulf poem was written was, without a doubt, a pervasively masculine one: the concepts of masculinity, kingship, and the ideal heroic figure were heavily focused upon. Given much less attention but holding just as much importance were the women, particularly the queens, when it came to threading the fabric of society together. It is interesting to note that the queens, as well as treasure, were the two keys to maintaining peace in the midst of conflict. This essay will explore the relationship between peaceweaving Queens and treasure in the poem Beowulf, in turn revealing the extent to which the two affect the social order of Anglo-Saxon culture. …show more content…
“Peaceweaver” is a direct translation from the Old English word, freoðuwebbe. While only used once in Beowulf in reference to Offa’s unnamed but “wicked” queen, the meaning is inherently clear after it is told that she was “adorned with gold to that young champion” and soon “use[d] well her life’s estate upon the royal throne.” Her being “adorned with gold” to Offa was a move to diminish the existing conflict through uniting the two sides by marriage, while mention of her life being “used well” indicates the positive result of the nuptial. The story of Offa’s queen summarizes the important function peaceweavers have in settling disagreements. The inclusion of “gold” further points to the interdependent nature of queens and treasure. Treasure is by far the most prominent motif in the poem. The frequent mention of gold and sacred objects of all kinds is representative of just how integral it was to maintaining the social order. Gold was thought to have a “moral value,” with “individual merit” being defined by the extent of one’s wealth. Rather than being strictly for measuring economic success, treasure was a fundamental tool in …show more content…
The Beowulf poet creates a thoroughly detailed narration of the event, particularly on the sequence of the cup’s passing by Wealtheow’s hand. It is told that “Wealhtheow went forth… mindful of courtesy; with gold adorned she greeted the men in the hall, and then the cup she offered, noble lady, first to the guardian of the East Danes’ realm, and wished him joy... Then the lady of the Helmings went to and fro every part of that host, to tried men and young proffering the jeweled vessels, until in due time… to Beowulf bore the cup of mead.” (Lines 497-506) It should first be stated that the setting of Heorot, with Hrothgar seated upon his throne overflowing with treasure, was representative of “the fundamental cultural values of the archaic worldview.”1 Therefore, the meticulousness of Wealtheow’s actions are not for naught; rather, they further exemplify the purposefulness of the peacekeeping role in such a revered and symbolic establishment. While the order in which the cup is passed (first with the king, then to the retainers and other men, followed by their guest Beowulf lastly) establishes the hierarchy, the “proffering” of “the jeweled vessels” is meant to upkeep positive relations between Hrothgar and his subjects, as explained earlier.2 The Beowulf poet describes Wealtheow with great admiration, calling her a “noble lady,” “mindful of
The period in which the Beowulf poem was written was, without a doubt, a pervasively masculine one: the concepts of masculinity, kingship, and the ideal heroic figure were heavily focused upon. Given much less attention but holding just as much importance were the women, particularly the queens, when it came to threading the fabric of society together. It is interesting to note that the queens, as well as treasure, were the two keys to maintaining peace in the midst of conflict. This essay will explore the relationship between peaceweaving Queens and treasure in the poem Beowulf, in turn revealing the extent to which the two affect the social order of Anglo-Saxon culture. …show more content…
“Peaceweaver” is a direct translation from the Old English word, freoðuwebbe. While only used once in Beowulf in reference to Offa’s unnamed but “wicked” queen, the meaning is inherently clear after it is told that she was “adorned with gold to that young champion” and soon “use[d] well her life’s estate upon the royal throne.” Her being “adorned with gold” to Offa was a move to diminish the existing conflict through uniting the two sides by marriage, while mention of her life being “used well” indicates the positive result of the nuptial. The story of Offa’s queen summarizes the important function peaceweavers have in settling disagreements. The inclusion of “gold” further points to the interdependent nature of queens and treasure. Treasure is by far the most prominent motif in the poem. The frequent mention of gold and sacred objects of all kinds is representative of just how integral it was to maintaining the social order. Gold was thought to have a “moral value,” with “individual merit” being defined by the extent of one’s wealth. Rather than being strictly for measuring economic success, treasure was a fundamental tool in …show more content…
The Beowulf poet creates a thoroughly detailed narration of the event, particularly on the sequence of the cup’s passing by Wealtheow’s hand. It is told that “Wealhtheow went forth… mindful of courtesy; with gold adorned she greeted the men in the hall, and then the cup she offered, noble lady, first to the guardian of the East Danes’ realm, and wished him joy... Then the lady of the Helmings went to and fro every part of that host, to tried men and young proffering the jeweled vessels, until in due time… to Beowulf bore the cup of mead.” (Lines 497-506) It should first be stated that the setting of Heorot, with Hrothgar seated upon his throne overflowing with treasure, was representative of “the fundamental cultural values of the archaic worldview.”1 Therefore, the meticulousness of Wealtheow’s actions are not for naught; rather, they further exemplify the purposefulness of the peacekeeping role in such a revered and symbolic establishment. While the order in which the cup is passed (first with the king, then to the retainers and other men, followed by their guest Beowulf lastly) establishes the hierarchy, the “proffering” of “the jeweled vessels” is meant to upkeep positive relations between Hrothgar and his subjects, as explained earlier.2 The Beowulf poet describes Wealtheow with great admiration, calling her a “noble lady,” “mindful of