Beowulf and Grendel
The tale of Beowulf stands as the first work of English literature in history. It gives insight into the culture and society of centuries past, a life dominated by fate and lore, beings and deeds larger than life. Such was the way of life in the world Beowulf illustrates. The tale even briefly touches upon the role of women with the character Welthow. A thousand years after Beowulf was composed, the story was revised and retold by John Gardner, whose first person narration of Grendel gave the old tale new dimensions, while preserving many underlying themes. One of the only female characters found in both Beowulf and Grendel is Queen Wealtheow. Rhetorical devices are used in each piece to show the similarities and differences between the traditional Welthow from Beowulf, and Gardner's Wealtheow. Her existence serves a similar function in both tales in that she is objectified and placed on a pedestal, but differs in Gardner's portrayal, where he endows Wealtheow with depth and emotion. The rhetorical devices of repetition and diction serve to show the similarities between the two Wealtheows, while tone is used to contrast Wealtheow's social differences. Wealtheow's most notable feature in both tales is the function she serves i
Similarities can also be found between the old and new Wealtheows in that the use of rhetorical device consistently establishes the sense of duty accorded to each woman. In addition to serving as a function to the kingdom and element of the story, each Wealtheow maintains their role as wife and queen. In Beowulf, parallel structure is used to show Welthow's unfailing support for Hrothgar, as she fulfills her duties as queen. Being "a noble woman who knew what was right (Raffel 42)," she in effect, happily resigns herself to serving mead and giving fanciful 'inspirational' speeches about Hrothgar and their two sons. The description of her righteousness is followed by a detailed account of how she serves everybody in the hall drink from a jeweled cup. "May happiness come to the Danes' great ring-giver; may the Geats receive mild words from your mouth, words they have earned! Let gifts flow freely from your open hands.... Let your fame and your strength go hand in hand (60-61)." The parallel structure utilized gives Welthow's speech a very particular uniqueness. When she speaks of the greatness of Hrothgar and Beowulf, and of the greatness to come, the reader is given the impression that Welthow is giving out a blessing, predicting the future, or babbling inanely. Such duties are reflected in Grendel as well. When Hygold presents Wealtheow to Hrothgar, he says, "Let her name from now on be Wealtheow, or holy servant of the common good (Gardner 86).", foreshadowing the role and duties she will come to fulfill. Indeed, as in Beowulf, she carries a mealbowl from table to table in Hrothgar's meadhall, "servant of even the lowliest among them (89)." The emphasis on duty in the second novel gives a clear indication of some degree of subservience from Wealtheow. She gives up her former name and identity to become the Queen of the Danes. Her primary function was to prevent war between the powers of her
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1284
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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