The Vilification & Oppression of Women in the Middle Ages
The role of the woman in Beowulf’s world is indicative of society’s overall view of women and their role in the time period in which it was written. The woman’s existence seems to fall into two categories at opposite extremes on the spectrum. They are either, in Welthow’s case, demure, rarely seen, rarely heard, and speak only the regurgitated sentiments of their husbands; or they are, as Grendel’s mother, vicious, evil, blood-thirsty, and vengeful.
It would be remiss of me not to take into consideration the fact that religion pervaded (or invaded?) every facet of a person’s life from birth to death in the Middle Ages. The original author of the text was most likely religious, as well, given the oft-ness of god-praising dialogue and the hideous descriptions of Beowulf’s enemies. It is a doctrine of the church’s thinking at that time that women fell into these two categories.
Wealthow, at one end of the spectrum, is a “confined woman” (as opposed to a “free woman”), physically, emotionally, and mentally. She is a decorative object and serves as a peace keeper of sorts. She is the one to pass around the goblet of drink, thereby cementing alliances. She is also the one who passes around the rewards which her husband bestows upon the warriors (614-630). In line 614 she is introduced as the “gold-ringed Queen” and in line 622 as the (bracelet-wearing Queen). These two descriptions, in addition to lines 614/615 (A noble woman who knew what was right) reinforce her position as a confined woman and material object; a sort of pawn or tool, if you will. She never offers her own opinions, but merely performs her society-expected duties pouring mead and praising her husband’s good choices. She seems, as far as can be told, to accept her role as such, without question, and quite happily.
Freaw, Hrothgar’s daughter, is another example of the materialistic-value of women. Her father married her off to a warrior as a reward for his services. Beowulf claims “he is hoping his quarrel with the Hathobards can be settled by a woman. He is wrong…”. Beowulf’s attitude towards women is no different, although he is the hero and the one upon whom all hopes are pinned in this tale. In the end, he is still a product of the society which raised him; and a product of the author’s mind, who may have been seeking to set forth examples of how an acceptable woman acts within the confines of society.
At the other end of the spectrum from good Queen Wealthow is the “free woman”, Grendel’s mother, who is not even given a name in the story. She is so vile and outside of society’s control that they have stripped away all of her femininity and grossly distorted her in their description of her. Rather than describing her as a mother who is angered at the loss of her child, she is instead painted as a blood-thirsty, vengeful, evil creature. As a result, the that her actions are exactly what any male of the time would do, is glossed over. She is a woman, and therefore any acts of displeasure or anger or “extreme emotion” are unacceptable. Society in the Middle Ages could not abide a strong woman who can make her own way in the world without a man to rule her.
Thrith is another of the vilified women in this story, though not to the extreme of Grendel’s mother. She is a “confined woman” who acts a little more according to the rules of society, but is apparently vicious, lying, and takes great offense and the slightest provocation. She is said to delight in the downfalls of others (1930-1962). However, once her father marries her off to a “gold-adorned champion” she suddenly becomes the “proper” wife she is suppose to be. This implies that women of the Middle Ages are evil, conniving, and selfish; only happy when they are rich with gold.
The author uses two extremely polar opposites, giving no gray area, or instances where a woman can be both free and confined, living without a man to rule her, yet retaining a sense of decorum and propriety. It appears that there was an inherent belief that it is not possible for such a female to exist. This, coupled with the plethora of misogynistic views of women of the Middle Ages, can make for a difficult reading experience, even knowing that it was simply the order of the day for that era. The purpose of the story was to tell a heroic tale of bravery and fortitude, and a noble death in the line of duty, however it also serves to perpetuate the vilification of women who choose not to live in the shadow of males.
