Women in the Epic of Beowulf and in Other Anglo-Saxon Poems Essay

The Women in Beowulf and in Other Anglo-Saxon Poems 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 lady of the house and childbearer and peaceweaver, but sometimes ones giving license of choice, range of activity, and room for personal growth and development. Beowulf makes reference to Ingeld and his wife and the coming Heathobard feud in that hot vexation his love for peace-weaver, his wife, will cool (2065-66) This is a rare passage, for Anglo-Saxon poetry rarely mentions romantic sentiments toward women. In fact, ones marital status wasnt even considered significant. For example, with the hero himself the poet never mentions whether he is married or not, likewise with most characters in the poem. Because this is a poem about the heroic deeds of men, Hildeburh excepted, the feeling between man-and-woman is downplayed, and t he feeling among warriors is emphasized. Remember that the poem opens with Scyld Scefing, who came motherless to rule the Danes than those at his start who set him adriftwhen only a child, friendless and cold,lone on the waves. (44-46) Scylds motherlessness perhaps tells the reader that the heroic, superhuman, violent deeds about to transpire are perhaps not all that compatible with women and womanly qualities like passivity, gentleness, compassion. It is a predominantly masculine, rough and tough narrative which would only be detracted from by the presence of many women. Chickering says that women in the poem had all the dignity and standing they commanded in Tacitus day, when they were greatly respe... ...im (in the case of Hild). And the language in reference to the women seems to be respectful, non demeaning. Some women have stereotyped roles of passive homemaker and childbearer and peaceweaver, but others, particularly royalty, have freedom of choice, range of activity, a nd room for personal growth and development. BIBLIOGRAPHY Alexander, Michael, translator. The Earliest English Poems. New York Penguin Books, 1991. Chickering, Howell D.. Beowulf A dual-Language Edition. New York Anchor Books, 1977. Overing, Gillian R. The Women of Beowulf A context for Interpretation. In The Beowulf Reader, edited by Peter S. Baker. New York Garland Publishing, 2000. Chickering, Howell D.. Beowulf A dual-Language Edition. New York Anchor Books, 1977. Tacitus The Annals of Imperial Rome, translated by Michael Grant. New York Penguin, 1996.