Question

Based on wealhtheow's actions in the poem, what role or roles do you think women played in anglo-saxon society

Answer 1

In Anglo-Saxon society, the role that women played in were usually ceremonial roles, as evidenced by the actions of Wealhtheow in the poem.

During the feast of Grendel’s slay and the raid of Grendel’s mother, she comes forth and offers a remarkable cup to Hrothgar, and next to Beowulf, and made a speech for each of them.

Answer 2

Answer:

Beowulf, the hero of Anglo-Saxon epic, had many adventures, and many companions and fellow-warriors are mentioned throughout his story.

Some of them seem noble and courageous, truly living up to the standards of their culture; some seem cowardly. But all have gained immortality in the words, many times transcribed and translated, of the famous epic. However, the women of the time are rarely mentioned in Beowulf. Still, even from those few women who are mentioned and from other documents of the era, it is possible to see the position of women in of Anglo-Saxon society. In many cases, they enjoyed more rights than women in later Medieval cultures.  

Explanation: