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.
