Women in Beowulf and Arthurian Legend Essay examples

Women in Beowulf and Arthurian Legend A common theme in the stories we have read is that glory, happiness, and success come in cycles (this theme is commonly represented as the wheel of fortune). This theme is present in the Arthurian tales, as well as in Beowulf. Each story tells a tale (or part of a tale) of a rise to glory, and the proceeding fall to disarray. The men always were the kings and warriors, but the women played different roles in the different stories. The women of Beowulf were used to bind up peace (or were peaceful women), whereas the women of Arthurian legend tended to disturb the peace and cause strife. There are many women described briefly in Beowulf, and a few women described elaborately in the various†¦show more content†¦She was promised to Ingeld of the Heathobards. Beowulf predicted with uncanny certainty the events that would come in the future regarding Freawaru. He said that her father believes that it is an excellent plan to use her as a peace-weaver to bury old antagonisms, mortal feuds. But the deadly spear rarely sleeps for long after a prince lies dead in the dust, however exceptional the bride may be! (71). It was Freawarus intent to maintain peace, even though destiny had other plans. The other category of women found in Beowulf is the women in power, who distributed their wealth generously to maintain a peaceful society. Hrothgars wife and queen, Wealtheow, was noted on numerous occasions giving away copious gifts. A theme present in Beowulf is that those who are open-handed with their wealth help to prevent any hostilities from forming. The Queen of the Geats, Beowulfs queen, was also noted for being charitable: She was not too thrifty, not ungenerous with gifts of precious treasures to the Geatish thanes (69). Such unselfish behavior allows friendship to flourish and falseness to flounder. For the purpose of exaggerating her kindness, she was compared to old Queen Thyrth. Thyrth is the only example of a greedy, evil woman in the entire story of Beowulf. Regardless of her evil ways, Offa soon brought her into line. Afterwards, she did a complete one-eighty and became another kind, generous queen. Overall, the women in Beowulf wereShow MoreRelated King Arthur Ess ay1428 Words   |  6 Pagesdifferent depending on the era, culture, and the particular writer who is relating his version of the Arthurian legend. Three Kinds of Arthur There is much debate whether Arthur was an actual historical person. There is no absolute evidence, but it is possible that Arthur was a Briton or Romano-Briton king who led the Celts against the Anglo-Saxons in the early 8th century (Americana, Arthurian Romances, 1972). The kings of the medieval period were warlords that protected a particular area ofRead More The Use of Magic in Medieval Literature Essay2847 Words   |  12 Pagesmagic and magical creatures has been around for a long time, however, in the time period ranging from Beowulf to Malorys Arthur, there has been an evolution in attitudes and the consequent treatment of magic in medieval literature. The discussion of magic involves not only the disparity between Christian and pagan tradition but also of gender roles, most notably in the Arthurian mythos. Beowulf, Marie De Frances Bisclavret and Lanval, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Sit Thomas Malorys Le MorteRead MoreBeowulf vs. Eaters of the Dead1645 Words   |  7 Pagesliterary Epic, were torn between pagan beliefs and Christian values as their predecessors had been. The first literary Epic, Beowulf, illustrates the struggle between these two ideologies, as well as contributes the sought after values of heroism. The Eaters of the Dead also demonstrates this struggle between cultures, playing off Beowulf in theme. Excalibur, the Arthurian Legend, depicts the final battle between Christian and pagan belief, Christianity winning out in the end. Epics such as these expressRead MoreGilgamesh, Beowulf As A Literary Hero1343 Words   |  6 Pagesor her goals, decisions, and, ultimately, fate. Such figures, though imperfect, are celebrated because they are attainable, for perfection is too far beyond the inspirational grip of imagination for many. Each of these heroes, be they Gilgamesh, Beowulf, or Achilles, are motivated toward different goals and take a varied and unique path in order to achieve these goals, which are shaped by the social and political climates in which they are formed. However diverse these character arcs may be, theyRead MoreMedieval Poetry3509 Words   |  15 Pagesphilosophers such as St Thomas Aquinas. One of the most famous religious works of the period was  The Golden Legend, a collection of stories about the saints by Jacobus de Voraigne. Not all medieval literature was religious in nature, however. Secular poems and prose works related the deeds of semi-legendary heroes and villains. Examples of this type of work include the French  Song of Roland  and  Beowulf, an early English poem about a heros battles against a series of monsters. Other popular heroes in medieval