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Epic Of Beowulf Essay: The Role Of Women

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Beowulf is an incredible piece of literature that holds much importance in the literary genre. However, it's lack of importance placed on it 's female characters has caused controversy. Although the poem was composed in England it is set in Scandinavia. Beowulf is set in a world where honor, bravery and loyalty is of much importance as it highlights the values of the pre-Anglo Saxon culture. The role of women in Beowulf, reflects that of Anglo Saxon society which predominately is based around peacemaking. This can be through biological means such as mothers of powerful sons, or marital ties with powerful foreign kings as a type of peace contract, or socially as a cup- passing and peace weaving queen within a hall. Are women in these poems active equals of the men? Or are they passive victims of the men? The roles of the women in Beowulf and other Anglo-Saxon poems are not always stereotyped ones of passive homemaker and childbearer and peaceweaver, but sometimes ones giving freedom of choice, range of activity, and room for personal growth and development. Given this lack of female presence , one might be excused for believing that women were trivialized in Anglo-Saxon …show more content…

They obtained roles as peace makers, hostesses and ritual mourners which would contrast massively to the very public roles that the men held roles such as warrior, avenger and king. Critics of the poem previously have downplayed the importance of women as they have been overlooked by their male counterparts. However, recently women in the poem and also in Anglo Saxon society have been seen as characters whose functions are nearly just important of the male's. They are seen as powerful and active in their own realms as they do all within their power to fight for what they believe. While answering this question I will pay my attention on Grendel's mother, Wealhteow, and Hygd as they have attracted the most

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