Role of Women in the Epic of Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon Society Essay

Role of Women in Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon Society  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Beowulf, the hero of Anglo-Saxon epic, had many adventures, and many companions and fellow-warriors are mentioned throughout his story. Some of them seem noble and courageous, truly living up to the standards of their culture; some seem cowardly. But all have gained immortality in the words, many times transcribed and translated, of the famous epic. However, the women of the time are rarely mentioned in Beowulf. Still, even from those few women who are mentioned and from other documents of the era, it is possible to see the position of women in of Anglo-Saxon society. In many cases, they enjoyed more rights than women in later Medieval cultures. Both Wealhtheow, Hrothgar's queen, and Hygd, Hygelac's queen, apparently held power in their courts. Wealhtheow's actions in rewarding Beowulf after his battles show the queen's role and position as hostess. She awards him "two arm ornament... ... impact on today's life, goes far toward dispelling notions that the Anglo-Saxons restricted the freedom of women in favor of a purely male-oriented, hero-worshiping society. Works Cited Beowulf and Other Old English Poems. Trans. Constance B. Hieatt. New York; Odyssey Press, 1967. Gies, Frances and Joseph. Marriage and Family in the Middle Ages. New York; Harper and Row, 1987. Page, R.I. Life in Anglo-Saxon England. New York; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1970.