A World Without Women Why Beowulf Needs Women Characters

A World Without Women: Why Beowulf Needs Women Characters If there were no women in our world, our world would be drastically different. There would be no men born; men that are destined to be great warriors and kings would not exist. If there were no women in our world, there would be more war and less peace. There would be loneliness and less joy. Women are the heart and soul of our society. Without women, everything would fall apart. The roles of women in Beowulf are not vast: give birth, get married, serve your male counterparts, and maintain control over yourself. Women are viewed as healers, lovers, and people that can bind tough ties. It is a true disadvantage to this epic story that the women are not respected and spoken of more.†¦show more content†¦Wealhtheow was an object of beauty to the court. Throughout the epic, she graced the court with her presence, served mead, thanked warriors, and left for the bedchamber with her king. The first time Wealhtheow is mention ed, is when she enters the court to thank Beowulf for coming to save their country. She is â€Å"queenly and dignified† (621) whenever she speaks to the men; whereas Beowulf is â€Å"a daunting man, dangerous in action† (629). This comparison shows how women were viewed as fragile, when men were tough and dangerous. The character of Wealhtheow is significant because she brings light and grace into a story that is otherwise dark and monstrous. She is a sign of beauty. Her presence was a brightening point to the tale, as she was â€Å"adorned in gold† (614), and â€Å"regal and arrayed with gold† (641). If the character were to be taken out, this story would be nothing but battles. Both the unnamed woman and Wealhtheow are powerful women behind their kings. Most of the women in this novel are viewed as healers or lovers, however two of the women are claimed to be monstrous, evil women. There are several reasons why those stereotypes are bothersome. For example, the first woman, Grendel’s mother did not bother anyone until her one and only son was murdered. She was an ancestor of Cain, which automatically made society banish you. Grendel’s mother had not created any issues for â€Å"She has been forced down into fearful waters.†Show MoreRelatedBeowulf : A Pattern And Traditional Form Of Heroism1023 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to Article Myriad, Beowulf provides a pattern and traditional form of heroism, especially with respect to family. Beowulf originally was a story told from person to person, then was performed in mead halls by poets and gleemen before it was ever transcribed. While the hero in Beowulf was celebrated for his valor, he was also praised for his humility. He did not give in to the corruption and refused the kingship when it was offered to him. 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