The epic “Beowulf” shows many aspects of Anglo-Saxon culture that otherwise could not be known today. Many of which are considered either immoral or wrong; however, as they were influenced by Christian beliefs and the only ones that could write were monks, it is obvious how Christianity affected the poem. Thus, to some extent, sharing some similarities with our modern society, although sometimes there are some contradictions as pagan and Christian beliefs clash during the poem. Notwithstanding, the poem independent of those two forces does agree on one thing. “Beowulf” presents women as negative figures in society, because they serve almost no purpose in the story, they are seen as evil beings, and unreasonable persons many times.
Men have …show more content…
For example, after Grendel is killed, his mother comes out of nowhere to avenge his dead son and start another killing spree over Heorot (the Danes mead-hall). This character shows no feelings or remorse she is just an evil being that kills without purpose. So, what is the matter with Grendel’s mom? First of all, the only other female figure in here is Wealhtheow, and she is useless to the story; now, comes Grendel’s mom, which sole purpose is to kill in revenge giving a negative aspect to female characters. Why could not instead be Grendel’s father? I mean, females are not really appreciated, but, that is the reality of the situation and men should always be pictured as great figures. It even describes her as mere hell’s creation (lines 1258-1259) “Grendel's mother,/monstrous hell-bride, brooded on her wrongs.” In contrast to Grendel which is describe not as horrible as her, giving him some positive attributes such as lines 121-122 when Grendel’s mighty strength is shown “the God-cursed brute was creating havoc:/greedy and grim, he grabbed thirty men”, even though he is “greedy and grim”, in Anglo-saxon culture it was something good to boast and to see who was better and stronger. Another example is Queen Modthryth, she is shown as the embodiment of evil, in lines 1934-1938 says “if an eye not her lord's/stared at her directly during daylight,/the outcome was sealed: he was kept bound/in hand-tightened shackles, racked, tortured/until doom was pronounced”. She evidently has no real motives for her doings, it just increases the negativity associated with
Men have …show more content…
For example, after Grendel is killed, his mother comes out of nowhere to avenge his dead son and start another killing spree over Heorot (the Danes mead-hall). This character shows no feelings or remorse she is just an evil being that kills without purpose. So, what is the matter with Grendel’s mom? First of all, the only other female figure in here is Wealhtheow, and she is useless to the story; now, comes Grendel’s mom, which sole purpose is to kill in revenge giving a negative aspect to female characters. Why could not instead be Grendel’s father? I mean, females are not really appreciated, but, that is the reality of the situation and men should always be pictured as great figures. It even describes her as mere hell’s creation (lines 1258-1259) “Grendel's mother,/monstrous hell-bride, brooded on her wrongs.” In contrast to Grendel which is describe not as horrible as her, giving him some positive attributes such as lines 121-122 when Grendel’s mighty strength is shown “the God-cursed brute was creating havoc:/greedy and grim, he grabbed thirty men”, even though he is “greedy and grim”, in Anglo-saxon culture it was something good to boast and to see who was better and stronger. Another example is Queen Modthryth, she is shown as the embodiment of evil, in lines 1934-1938 says “if an eye not her lord's/stared at her directly during daylight,/the outcome was sealed: he was kept bound/in hand-tightened shackles, racked, tortured/until doom was pronounced”. She evidently has no real motives for her doings, it just increases the negativity associated with