Beowulf: Role Of The Dishallow Women

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Sierra Peete
Mrs. Soard English Literature 28 February 2018
Role of The Dishallow Women
The roles of women in Beowulf in a way inspect how women are seen less than men. It is frequently wrong about the women that are in Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon culture are similar to a society culture that places little to no meaning on them. Even though females characters don't show up as much they have been shown to have hidden parts like Wealhtheow, Hygd, Hildeburh, Freawaru, and Modthryth.
Wealhtheow and Hygd are two queens married to Hrothgar and Hygelac. They are married to a king, Wealhtheow being Hrothgar’s wife and Hygd being Hygelac’s. They help to host celebrations and parties in the hall, making sure everybody is happy and having a good time. In Anglo-Saxon society women had the main role in the banquet hall as well as console affairs. Since war and violence was a normal event and life spans were short during the time, being a good fighter was a great talent. However, since women weren’t taught or allowed to physically fight, they had to find other skills such as activity and social ones. Especially women who have to govern over a hall of people. So it isn’t that much of a surprise when the poet describes Wealhtheow as “queenly” and “dignified”. (line 621) Their job to hand out the mead cup, helps to indicate ranking system in the hall. So even though …show more content…

These are awful women that completely challenging peacekeeper and hostess roles. They have no problem creating cruelty and violence to work out their problems. They are seen as brutal and aggressive since they use weapons and physical actions instead of communicating and working things out like Wealhtheow or Hildeburh. Grendel’s mother and Modthryth pretty much take on big roles in the Anglo-Saxon society with their actions. Grendel’s mother is a strong, commanding, and self-reliant woman. She lives by herself and defends her home alone. The

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