What lines is Wealhtheow in Beowulf?
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What lines is Wealhtheow in Beowulf?
Wealhtheow (also rendered Wealhþēow or Wealthow; Old English: Ƿealhþēoƿ [ˈwæɑɫxθeːow]) is a queen of the Danes in the Old English poem, Beowulf, first introduced in line 612.
How is the queen of the Danes Wealhtheow described?
The Queen of the Danes The poem portrays Wealtheow as a peacekeeper; a gentle and courteous hostess who soothes ruffled feathers and maintains decorum in the rowdy hall of Heorot, the Danish fortress.
What does Queen Wealhtheow ask Beowulf?
Cheery, eh? Queen Wealhtheow formally presents the torque to Beowulf, asking him to guide and protect her sons and wishing him luck and blessings.
Who is Wealhtheow in Grendel?
Wealtheow is Hrothgar’s queen, given to him in marriage as a gesture of peace by a rival king. Wealtheow’s presence at Hart exerts a calming power, easing tensions and resolving disputes between men. Her beauty and grace fascinate Grendel and torment him just as the beauty of the Shaper’s songs first did.
Who is Wealhtheow What does she do in this section of the poem?
Wealhtheow is one of the few women named in Beowulf , and she is the only woman with a substantial speaking part. Her role as queen is largely ceremonial. The poet describes her first appearance at Beowulf’s welcome feast.
What does Wealhtheow name mean?
The Anglo-Saxon word ‘Wealhtheow’ originally means ‘treasure bearer. ‘ In Beowulf, Wealhtheow is Hrothgar’s queen and the mother of his two sons. She is offered as a wife to king Hrothgar in order to promote peace among the two tribes, the Helmings and Scyldings.
What effect does Wealhtheow have on the Danes?
Sometimes Grendel goes to Hart to watch Wealtheow as she passes the meadbowl around the hall. Her presence seems to have affected all the Danes: the Shaper now sings songs of comfort, beauty, and love, and Hrothgar seems somewhat softened as well.
What does the name Wealhtheow mean?
Welsh slave
Since names in Beowulf are widely understood to reflect aspects of the characters who bear them, the standard translation of Wealhtheow as “Welsh slave” has caused scholarship to entertain two propositions regarding the significance of its etymology: either Wealhtheow was some sort of slave or captive, or the standard …
What gifts does Wealhtheow give to Beowulf at the feast?
Welthow gave Beowulf a mail shirt, golden armbands, and “the most beautiful necklace known to men.” She asks Beowulf to lend her two sons his wise and gentle heart.
Why is Wealhtheow important?
One of Wealhtheow’s most important duties is the ceremonial carrying of a goblet of mead around to the warriors during the feast, helping to establish a tone of brotherly affection between the Geats and Danes.
What advice does the Queen Wealhtheow have for Hrothgar and Beowulf?
Be ever blessed while you live, a noble lord. I promise to give liberally to you from our treasure-hoard. O happy man, I ask of you that you always act kindly toward my sons! This excerpt is part of Wealhtheow’s ceremonial speech to Beowulf, after the hero’s defeat of Grendel.
Why is Wealhtheow important in Beowulf?
Wealhtheow is a peace-weaver and takes an active role in diplomacy, generously presenting Beowulf with a valuable gold collar and asking him to serve as counselor to her sons. The role of women, who were still thought of as their husbands’ possessions, is limited in Beowulf.
How is Wealhtheow a peace Weaver?
‘ Wealtheow’s duty as a queen is to serve the court as a ‘weaver of peace’; this includes presenting necklaces and mead cups to the men at the court, and offering words of courage and honor to the warriors (www.classicnotes.com; Beowulf character list).
What gifts does Wealhtheow Hrothgar’s queen give to Beowulf and what is the purpose of these gifts?
Queen Wealhtheow formally presents the torque to Beowulf, asking him to guide and protect her sons and wishing him luck and blessings.
What gift does Wealhtheow give Beowulf for defeating Grendel?
Wealththeow presents Beowulf with two arm bangles, a mail-shirt and rings, however, the most impressive gift was a torque of gold. King Hygelac eventually receives the gift. The poem flashes forward after this gift is given to Beowulf.
What function does Queen HYGD have in the poem?
Hygd is beautiful, wise, courteous, and attentive. She pours mead in the drinking horns of the warriors thus fulfilling (in the same vein as Wealhþeow, the queen of Denmark) the important role of hostess and cup-bearer in the poem.
What does Wealhtheow symbolize in Anglo Saxon culture?
Wealhtheow? The Anglo-Saxon word ‘Wealhtheow’ originally means ‘treasure bearer. ‘ In Beowulf, Wealhtheow is Hrothgar’s queen and the mother of his two sons. She is offered as a wife to king Hrothgar in order to promote peace among the two tribes, the Helmings and Scyldings.