The Role of women in "Beowulf"

Question: Justify the role of women in the Anglo-Saxon epic poem “Beowulf”

           

            Answer: “Beowulf” is the first epic in English Literature. The epic not only depicts the heroism of the title character, Beowulf and the other warriors at that time, but also it shows women’s significant role beside men. A woman is not inferior to men. They are seen in the epic as - ale-keepers, peace-weavers, gift givers, helping hands in decoration, mourners and decision makers. They are powerful too from their respective position in the Anglo-Saxon society.

            A woman serving drinks is an important person at a symbel, a drinking ritual in “Beowulf”. She is called the ale-keeper and she is always a noble woman, often queen and it is her hand that pours the first drink. In the epic poem, Queen Wealhtheow is the ale-keeper and not only does the she serve drinks but also she speaks to the warriors and encourages them. The queen heartens the warriors and her words are kind and caring, she creates the feminine element that contrasts to the hard words of men.

            A woman served as the peace-weaver, she is the calming element in the house. A warrior might offend a king, but no one wants to offend the likes and power of the queen. By marriage, she could also settle feuds between kins or tribes. In “Beowulf”, queen Thryth is set as an example of a bad queen who does not fulfill her function. A woman should be the heart of the house and the support to her husband. Wealhtheow is an example of an excellent queen for she makes Heorot an ideal place for the weary warriors.

            Gift giving is a feature according to which the power of a king can be measured. Hrothgar is an example of a good king; he is described as a ruler who has never broken his promises of lavishing rings to the warriors. In the poem, not only the kings but also queen Hygd serves as a gift-giver. After the death of King Hygelac, her husband, she offers to Beowulf treasures, kingdom, rings and dominion. She senses that her son is too young to reign and asks him to be his guardian. She is obligated to decide the issue, for the situation required her to substitute the king’s function. She uses violence and her behaviour is considered as foils to peace weavers.

            Grendel is the fierce spirit dwelling in the darkness. The unhappy creature attacks the Danes and he has carried on his ransack for long twelve years and this news reaches Beowulf who has come to the Danes to set them free from the monster. When the monster is defeated by Beowulf, he flees away in fright to die. He has a mother whose motherly affection rises at the death of her son. Then his enraged mother decides to take revenge on the Danes and kills one of the dearest counsellors of King Hrothgar.     

            Both men and women take part in decoration of the mead hall, Heorot constructed nicely by King Hrothgar. They prepare the wine-hall and the guest building. The hangings of the wall shine with gold. After the first victory of Beowulf with Grendel, a feast is arranged at mead hall to convey thanks to Beowulf.

            Mourning is an important part of burial ritual among many nations. It represents respect for the deceased and expresses sorrow at his death. In “Beowulf”, women are found mourning at Beowulf’s and Hnaef’s funerals. Thus, not only they show respect for them reciting dirge and but also they praise their deeds and acts of courage.

            Women are also shown as decision makers in the poem. Queen Wealhtheow, the wife of Hrothgar, is much concerned about her sons’ succession in the throne although Beowulf has saved them from Grendel. On the other hand, Queen Hygd, the wife of Hygelac, offers to Beowulf the responsibility of the Geats’ kingdom after the death of Hygelac as her son is too young to be a king. 

            In fine, it is apparent from the above discussion that the female characters are important foe the poetic structure as well as the story itself. They are neither passive nor powerless – they are actively struggling to define their place in the heroic world and their efforts are in many respects successful.

Md. Saiful Alam

B. A. Honours and M. A. in English

Lecturer of English

Queen’s College, Dhaka

E-mail: suman64924@gmail.com

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