The Importance Of Male Roles In Anglo Saxon Literature

Literature written during the Anglo Saxon period focuses on the importance of male roles and their ability to shape the outcome of a nation. Many of the Anglo Saxon texts depict women in very traditional social roles reflecting their given status quo, whereas men are depicted as heroes, Lords, Knights, and kings. Men are stereotypically known to influence both leadership and political power in society. As a result, Anglo Saxon literature was written from the male perspective, it focuses largely on the masculinity of patriarchal society and exemplifying how women are often overlooked and their experiences considered trivial. After a close reading of Beowulf, it is clear that women compose a significant portion of this narrative. Moreover, women empowered by grief and loss, possessed ample influence, and power to exert a larger …show more content…
(Beowulf 1162, 1168-1171).
By offering this cup to the warriors and guests in the order that she chooses, Wealhthoew is fulfilling a respectable duty to her Lord and her kingdom.
Similar to Wealhtheoew, Queen Hygd’s first appearance in the poem shows a similar role where she moves about the hall hosting the knights and king with drinks. “Haereth’s daughter/ moved about with the mead-jug in her hand/ taking care of the company, filling the cups/ that warriors held out (Beowulf 1980-83). In addition, her role as a mother influences her to look after the well-being of her nation in the same manner as she would for her son. After her husband is killed at war, she welds her political power to encourage Beowulf to take his rightful place as their king () . Princess Hidebruh and Freawaru personify their contentment with their designated roles as a subservient to the men in her life. By honorably executing their roles, they embody their sense of duty to their families and communities. However, their role as the peace weavers could only do so much because in the end proved ineffective because war was