Conduct guides for young princes and princesses have a long history in western culture. Although their heyday was between the 13th and 15th century, their roots can be traced back to Roman and Greek antiquity. They were made to transmit traditional teaching on correct behavior, service, etiquette, etc. and they tried to hand down the moral attitude of one generation to the subsequent one.
Ordinarily, conduct literature was made for young men. They were seen as the main target group of these educating texts because such treatises often describe the manners of knights orleaders. ‘Beowulf’ contains many parts that fit into this category and it was Levin Schücking who first examined these parts against the background of conduct
literature. He analyzed the depiction of male characters like Beowulf and Hrothgar, and he came to the conclusion that the epic of ‘Beowulf’ was made to teach young princes about loyalty, generosity, good leadership and virtue. Furthermore, he mentions the possibility that this epic was also written for the education of young princesses since simultaneous education of boys and girls was not unusual in medieval royal families. A closer investigation on this topic, however, has not been undertaken until now. This being the case, I want to throw some light on this dark spot of ‘Beowulf’ research with this treatise. The analysis of the depiction of four central women – Wealhtheow, Hildeburh, Modthryth and Grendel’s mother - is supposed to show that these characters are presented as good respectively bad exempla for appropriate female behavior. I want to demonstrate that the stories about these four ladies are topically connected to each other and that they may have served as conduct stories for Anglo-Saxon princesses. To achieve this aim, I am going to concentrate on the three ostensible female ideals depicted in ‘Beowulf’: the queen-mother, the hostess and the peace-weaver.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The Maternal Ideal
- 3 The Peace-Weaver and The Hostess as Social Ideals
- 4 Men as the Corrective Element
- 5 Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This treatise examines the portrayal of women in Beowulf, arguing that the epic serves as a conduct poem for Anglo-Saxon princesses. It analyzes the depiction of four key female characters to demonstrate how their stories function as positive and negative examples of appropriate female behavior within the Anglo-Saxon context.
- The role of women as peace-weavers and hostesses in Anglo-Saxon society.
- The concept of motherhood and its association with loss and grief in Beowulf.
- The limitations imposed on women by the patriarchal and belligerent society depicted in the epic.
- The use of female characters as exempla for appropriate conduct in medieval conduct literature.
- A comparative analysis of female characters within the framework of medieval conduct literature.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the analysis by exploring the history and characteristics of medieval conduct literature. It highlights the traditional focus on educating young men, while also noting the possibility of Beowulf serving as a guide for young princesses. The chapter lays out the study's objective: to investigate the portrayal of four key female characters—Wealhtheow, Hildeburh, Modthryth, and Grendel's Mother—as positive and negative examples of appropriate behavior for women in Anglo-Saxon society. The analysis will center on three female ideals presented in the epic: the queen-mother, the hostess, and the peace-weaver.
2 The Maternal Ideal: This chapter examines the concept of motherhood in Beowulf, focusing on the experiences of Hildeburh, Wealhtheow, and Grendel's Mother. It explores how each woman confronts the loss or potential loss of her son. Hildeburh's story, recounted by a minstrel, is highlighted as a tragic example of a queen who loses her son and brother, highlighting the passive grief expected of women within the societal constraints. The chapter contrasts Hildeburh's passive acceptance of tragedy with Wealhtheow's proactive efforts to safeguard her sons' future, underscoring the different approaches to maternal roles and their implications for female agency within a patriarchal structure. The chapter uses these contrasting examples to demonstrate the expectations and limitations placed on mothers in the Anglo-Saxon context.
Keywords
Beowulf, Anglo-Saxon literature, conduct literature, women in Beowulf, female characters, maternal ideal, peace-weaver, hostess, medieval literature, exempla, patriarchal society, gender roles.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Female Characters in *Beowulf*
What is the main focus of this analysis of *Beowulf*?
This analysis examines the portrayal of women in *Beowulf*, arguing that the epic serves as a conduct poem for Anglo-Saxon princesses. It focuses on four key female characters – Wealhtheow, Hildeburh, Modthryth, and Grendel's Mother – analyzing their stories as positive and negative examples of appropriate female behavior in Anglo-Saxon society.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis explores several key themes, including the role of women as peace-weavers and hostesses, the concept of motherhood and its association with loss and grief, the limitations imposed on women by a patriarchal society, and the use of female characters as examples of appropriate conduct within the framework of medieval conduct literature. A comparative analysis of these female characters within the context of medieval conduct literature is also undertaken.
Which female characters are analyzed in detail?
The analysis focuses on four key female characters: Wealhtheow, Hildeburh, Modthryth, and Grendel's Mother. Their actions and experiences are examined to illustrate the various expectations and constraints placed upon women in the Anglo-Saxon world.
What are the three main female ideals presented in the epic, according to the analysis?
The analysis identifies three key female ideals portrayed in *Beowulf*: the queen-mother, the hostess, and the peace-weaver. The actions and roles of the four main female characters are assessed in relation to these ideals.
How does the analysis approach the concept of motherhood in *Beowulf*?
The analysis explores the concept of motherhood by examining the experiences of Hildeburh, Wealhtheow, and Grendel's Mother. It contrasts their responses to the loss or potential loss of their sons, highlighting the different approaches to maternal roles and their implications for female agency within a patriarchal structure.
What is the significance of medieval conduct literature in this analysis?
The analysis uses the framework of medieval conduct literature to understand the portrayal of women in *Beowulf*. It considers the possibility that the epic, traditionally viewed as a guide for young men, may also offer guidance for young Anglo-Saxon princesses. The analysis utilizes the examples set within the epic to compare them to established expectations laid out within medieval conduct literature.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide an overview of the entire analysis, detailing how each chapter contributes to the overall argument. The introduction establishes the context and methodology, while subsequent chapters delve into specific female characters and themes, culminating in a conclusion that synthesizes the findings.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Key words associated with this analysis include: Beowulf, Anglo-Saxon literature, conduct literature, women in Beowulf, female characters, maternal ideal, peace-weaver, hostess, medieval literature, exempla, patriarchal society, and gender roles.
- Quote paper
- Sebastian Flock (Author), 2016, "Beowulf" as a Conduct Poem for Anglo-Saxon Princesses, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/346860
