Savvy Queens

           In Beowulf, we are introduced to many women. Some are tragic, some cruel, and some are utterly forgettable, but here I would like to focus on two certain women, Hygd and Wealtheow.  Both the brides of great kings, they are described as young, generous, courteous and set the perfect example of how a noble women should behave in that time period. These women are the epitome of a good queens but even so, how much power do they really wield?

            Most people would argue, not much. Everyone knows that women in that time period didn't have as much freedom. They were seen as unequal to the men and were expected to take care of the household and children. But with Hygd and Wealtheow we see something a little different. While both queens are still expected to run everything in the home, they also manage to make some political stances. Wealtheow for example, makes a speech to Beowulf and the other men in the mead hall. In her speech, she implies that since Hrothgar has adopted him as a son, she knows Beowulf will do right by her kin. Wealtheow's speech can be seen as her way of ensuring protection from Beowulf in the future and keeping the throne within her family. By calling Beowulf out like this, she is playing on the pride that men of the time are known to have.

            Now we move on to Hygd who plays a very large role in Beowulf's story, in which he eventually becomes king. We know that she offers Beowulf the throne over her own child after her husband's death. Beowulf does ultimately refuse, but I think this offer shows the queen's intelligence and political savvy. With the knowledge that the kind is dead, and her son is still too young to run the kingdom, she makes the best decision she can in order to keep the peace. By offering Beowulf the crown, Hygd ensures the safety of her kingdom and her son.

            The women of Beowulf may have not had great deal of freedom and choices but I believe they did what they could with what little power they had. While things like speeches and gift-giving seem small in comparison to the great deeds of Beowulf and other men in the poem, I believe that the women of this story used their cunning to keep the peace in their household the best way they saw fit.