Medieval Women Essay - 1034 Words

Medieval Women The roles of women in early Anglo-Saxon culture were strictly defined. Women were viewed as possessions and served the function of the peace-weaver. In this role women were married off to warring tribes to promote peace and were to perform duties such as passing the cup from warrior to warrior during ceremonial functions. Women in Anglo-Saxon culture possessed virtually no autonomy and consequently were consistently at the mercy of their lords or husbands. The sense of isolation and desperation felt by these women is captured in the â€Å"The Wife’s Lament† as the speaker describes her inability to control her own situation. The female characters Wealhtheow, Hildeburh, and Freawaru in Beowulf also display the limited†¦show more content†¦Hildeburh is a Danish princess who was married off to Finn, king of the Jutes. Hildeburh is torn away from her loved ones and forced to witness her son and brother killed during a battle between the Danes and the Jutes . Hildeburh has absolutely no say in the marriage (as was the custom) and cannot do nothing to prevent the tragedy. The scop in Beowulf describes how Hildeburh mourned the loss of her relatives as she watched â€Å"fire [swallow] them—greediest of spirits—all of those whom war had taken away from both peoples† (21). In the case of Freawaru, Beouwulf prophesizes that Hrothgar’s daughter will marry the son of Froda in an attempt to create peace but says, â€Å"Most often after the fall of a prince in any nation the deadly spear rests but a little while, even thought the bride is good† (35). The implication here is that another marriage based on peace-weaving will create hardship and war. Wealhtheow of Beowulf is another example of a woman who lacks power in her role as a peace-weaver. Wealhtheow is the queen and wife to Hrothgar, so she is considered to be a noblewoman. Accordingly, her role in the kingdom is ceremonial, bit though distinguished, is lacking any real consequence. Wealhtheow greets Beowulf and warriors and in the hall and offers up the mead-bowl with the help of her fellow women. Once Beowulf has defeated Grendel, it is Weahltheow’s responsibility to give him thanks and present him with a ring and mail-shirt. She says, â€Å"Here is eachShow MoreRelatedWomen Of The Medieval Times1865 Words   |  8 PagesThe lives of the women in the Medieval Times, for the most part ,did not belong to them. Choices such as marriage, intimacy, childbirth and household responsibilities were thrust upon them by the elder family members and the men that became their husbands. How did these women survive? Did the hardships inflicted on them day after day on a continuous basis lead to mental illness or a religious awakening? 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