The Problematic Nature of Defining Grendel’s Mother in "Beowulf"

Term Paper (Advanced seminar) , 2012 , 23 Pages , Grade: 1,0

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

The problematic nature of defining what exactly Grendel’s mother is in "Beowulf" has left little doubt that she has been even further removed from humanness than her son.
The problem seems to lie in the difference between modern conceptions of what distinguishes a ‘monster’ from a ‘human’ and the Anglo-Saxon understanding of these terms.

A possible explanation for this could be that there has been relatively little exploration of this female figure as an entity independent of her son, and what interest there has been has tended to classify her as a mere-monster, or quite literally, a mere monster. Even in Edward Irving’s rereading of "Beowulf", although he prudently observes that “the feminist movement has given us the power to open our eyes” to the phenomenon of the lack of critical attention given to Grendel’s mother, he still cannot bring himself to view Grendel’s mother as anything other than a monster.
In this essay I will attempt to turn the reader’s attention to this female character not as a monster, but as a warrior-woman, one who consciously violates the customs and rituals observed by peace-making women in Germanic society.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• The problematic nature of defining what exactly Grendel's mother is in Beowulf has left little doubt that she has been even further removed from humanness than her son.
• If we are to accept the Beowulf-poet as a Christian Anglo-Saxon, "who was responsible for giving the poem the general shape and tone in which it has survived",² then it is possible for us to imagine that he presents us with a picture of Danes and Geats who, although noble, are fatally pagan, whose ignorance causes them to perceive such figures of evil as Grendel and his mother as 'monsters' rather than bearers of God's wrath.
• This disparity between the narrator's and Hrothgar's description of Grendel's mother creates a greater sense of irony when we consider the fact that the terms applied to this warring woman are, in fact, used in reference to the hero of the poem himself, Beowulf, and to Sigemund.
• It is also crucial to note that the narrator uses the term “ides” in his description of Grendel's mother, and that this term is also applied to Hildeburh (“geōmuru ides", mournful lady, 1075b) and Wealtheow (“ides Scyldinga”, lady of the Shieldings, 1168b).
• Fazit
• Literaturverzeichnis

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This essay aims to re-examine the character of Grendel's mother in Beowulf, challenging the traditional interpretation of her as a mere monster. It argues that the poet presents her as a warrior-woman who actively defies the expected roles of women in Germanic society.

• The ambiguity of the term "āglæca" and its application to both Grendel's mother and Beowulf.
• The contrast between the narrator's and Hrothgar's descriptions of Grendel's mother.
• Grendel's mother's defiance of the traditional role of the "freoðuwebbe" (peace-weaver).
• The potential for both men and women to act monstrously in the poem.
• The poet's use of irony and his Christian perspective on the events of the poem.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The essay begins by highlighting the problematic nature of defining Grendel's mother in Beowulf, arguing that she has been consistently portrayed as a monster, often without much critical analysis. The author suggests that this tendency stems from a disconnect between modern and Anglo-Saxon understandings of "monster" and "human".

The essay then explores the narrator's portrayal of Grendel's mother, contrasting it with Hrothgar's perspective. The narrator, who is assumed to be a Christian Anglo-Saxon, presents Grendel and his mother as descendants of Cain, cursed by God. He also describes Grendel's mother's fear when she encounters the warriors in Heorot, highlighting her vulnerability. In contrast, Hrothgar, who is pagan, views her as an alien creature from another world, lacking any connection to human society.

The essay then delves into the term "āglæca", which is used to describe both Grendel and Beowulf. The author argues that the term should be understood as "fighter" or "warrior", rather than "monster", and that the poet uses it intentionally to highlight the potential for both men and women to act monstrously. This interpretation is supported by the fact that Grendel's mother, in seeking revenge for her son's death, acts according to the Germanic code of revenge, making her a "warrior-woman" in her own right.

The essay concludes by examining the term "ides", which is used to describe both Grendel's mother and other female characters in the poem, such as Hildeburh and Wealtheow. The author notes that while these women all experience the loss of their sons, Grendel's mother stands out by rejecting the traditional role of the "freoðuwebbe" (peace-weaver) and embracing the role of a warrior. This defiance of societal expectations further challenges the notion of her as a mere monster.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include Grendel's mother, Beowulf, "āglæca", warrior-woman, peace-weaver, Germanic society, Christian perspective, paganism, irony, and the interpretation of monsters in Old English literature.

• College: Free University of Berlin (Institut für Englische Philologie)
• Grade: 1,0
• Author: Giulia Hatton (Author)
• Publication Year: 2012
• Pages: 23
• Catalog Number: V293160
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656904069
• ISBN (Book): 9783656904076
• Language: English
• Tags: Beowulf, Old English, Anglo-Saxon, Women