1. When Hrothgar adopts Beowulf he recognizes God as Beowulf’s father, but acknowledges his biological mother as “whoever she was” (941). The obvious degradation of juxtaposing God with “that woman” (942) shows how insignificant women were in this patriarchal society.
2. Women are predominantly used as gaudy objects to glorify their husbands and display their husband’s success. For instance, Wealhtheow “went to sit by Hrothgar, regal and arrayed with gold” (640-641). These women are the originators of the term “trophy wife”.
3. If these noble women are so “queenly and dignified” why are they obliged to serving “all ranks” of men (that means the lowest beggars to the highest thanes) in the Mead-Hall if they are the honorable and exalted ones? (621)
4. Whenever an epithet occurs describing a character, the epithet is exclusively “Son of ___” with no acknowledgement that these characters have mothers too.
5. In the Family Tree diagrams in the back of the book, the women with the exception of Hygd, Wealhtheow, and Freawaru are all referred to as “daughter”.
6. The stories and songs about women can be put into two stereotypical categories: evil, “cruel-minded” (947) women such as Queen Modthryth and helpless, “blameless” (1077)characters such as Princess Hildeburh
7. The story of Queen Modthryth makes the ignorant assumption that it is unnatural for women to be violent, and aggressive and can “only wave peace” (1942); and that once a woman is married she transforms into a peaceful being and conduct “high devotion to the hero king” (1954)
8. Beowulf was no match for Grendel’s mom, until he “saw a blade…in her armoury” (1557-1558). This shows how women and men in the Geat society are actually equal, but men are “magically” provided with tools to conquer women.
9. Freawaru is used as a means to stop an ongoing feud between the Danes and Heathobards, which continues the cycle of women being used/seen as objects of peace, gentleness and subservience.
10. There is no mention of a woman in the epic poem until page 42, line 612.
2. Women are predominantly used as gaudy objects to glorify their husbands and display their husband’s success. For instance, Wealhtheow “went to sit by Hrothgar, regal and arrayed with gold” (640-641). These women are the originators of the term “trophy wife”.
3. If these noble women are so “queenly and dignified” why are they obliged to serving “all ranks” of men (that means the lowest beggars to the highest thanes) in the Mead-Hall if they are the honorable and exalted ones? (621)
4. Whenever an epithet occurs describing a character, the epithet is exclusively “Son of ___” with no acknowledgement that these characters have mothers too.
5. In the Family Tree diagrams in the back of the book, the women with the exception of Hygd, Wealhtheow, and Freawaru are all referred to as “daughter”.
6. The stories and songs about women can be put into two stereotypical categories: evil, “cruel-minded” (947) women such as Queen Modthryth and helpless, “blameless” (1077)characters such as Princess Hildeburh
7. The story of Queen Modthryth makes the ignorant assumption that it is unnatural for women to be violent, and aggressive and can “only wave peace” (1942); and that once a woman is married she transforms into a peaceful being and conduct “high devotion to the hero king” (1954)
8. Beowulf was no match for Grendel’s mom, until he “saw a blade…in her armoury” (1557-1558). This shows how women and men in the Geat society are actually equal, but men are “magically” provided with tools to conquer women.
9. Freawaru is used as a means to stop an ongoing feud between the Danes and Heathobards, which continues the cycle of women being used/seen as objects of peace, gentleness and subservience.
10. There is no mention of a woman in the epic poem until page 42, line 612.
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