Tuesday, September 2, 2014
The Importance of Patriarchy in Beowulf
Beowulf is set in a time of male-dominance where the patriarchy controls all choices. The opening of This Epic is a family tree of Hrothgar's male lineage and how each man is strong and a good leader based on his father's characteristics. This already sets into the readers mind that anyone of this lineage will be a great warrior and leader. Thus, Beowulf's characteristics do not need to be explained in detail further deeper in the story, as the reader knows to expect a fearless warrior based on the description of his Father. All characters also know each other in relation to who their father is. The ancestors are important as a bond between the characters, as Beowulf would not have gone to Hrothgar's aid if it wasn't for the debt that Beowulf owes through his father.
Beowulf's strong ties to his lineage is also shown in the fact that he dies without any heirs. While Beowulf's death was a sacrifice to his people, the real pain comes from the fact that he cannot continue on the lineage of his family, and thus ending the heroic line. Because of Beowulf's strong ties to lineage, he is fully comfortable in his identity. He can be confidant in his abilities, as he tries to do as well as his fathers did before him. He grew up in a family that expected him to do great tasks with ease, and Beowulf always complies.
Beowulf is contrasted in Grendel, who descends from Cain. This creates a large gap between the two, as Beowulf was born from nobility and a heroic line, but Grendel comes from the biblical figure that not only murders, but murders in his own lineage. This creates a gap between the two, as Beowulf would see such a strong connection to his family, and loyalty for them, while Grendel is a demon set solely on destruction, even if it falls on his own brother.
Beowulf can be compared to Shield Sheafson, who was an orphan. Beowulf's own father died when he was young, and both characters thus had to become "men" from a very young age and were able to step up to the challenge, becoming great men later in life. Sheafson, however, represents the start to a great line, being an orphan he continued his family to greatness, while Beowulf is on the other end of the spectrum, ending a great lineage when he dies without an heir.
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I agree with Chad and think lineage is a major theme of this epic poem. It ties every character together, whether or not they are blood relatives. It applies to the good characters (Danes and Geats) along with Grendel and his hellish mother. As such, I think Beowulf’s character is a culmination of personality traits from the clan leaders (Shield Sheafson, Hrothgar, etc) gifted to him by God in order to destroy Grendel, his mother and the dragon. Once the enemies of God are destroyed, this line of men dies with Beowulf, as they are no longer needed. I believe this is a possible reason why Beowulf had no successor. The traits of pride, courage and sheer ego had served their purpose. Beowulf was the ultimate warrior and leader and the last of his kind.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chad and Kasey. Lineage is a major theme in this poem that I wish we could talk more about in class. It wasn't until reading Chad's post that I realized Beowulf and Grendel are mirrored. Their lineages are the exact opposite of one another. Grenade comes from a lineage where every man is for himself for the most part. Cain did kill Abel. Feelings seem to rule their actions. Cain was jealous of how Abel was being treated by their parents, so he ended up killing Abel. He just reacts without thinking. The same goes for Grendel's mother. Her son is fatally wounded and Grendel's mother just starts goes into Heorot Hall and kills. Her actions are the start of her own demise. Beowulf comes from a strong lineage where the father's actions are extremely important. Family is everything. Which is why I do not understand why he does not have any heirs. In my opinion this exceptionally strong man should continue is lineage. But then again, then this epic poem would continue to go on and on.
ReplyDeleteI find Chad's idea of the theme of patriarchy especially interesting because I had never thought of Beowulf as such a male dominated story based in such a patriarchal society before. Of all the times in English classes I have read this I had never thought of it before. Which in hindsight based on the time period in which the epic is written, this was a heavily patriarchal society. In addition, I also find it interesting that not many females have a leading role in the epic except for Grendel's mother who is quoted as being the "monstrous hell-bride." The portrayal of women of power is almost a hidden fear of women. Also, on a totally unrelated note, I just thought it was interesting that Beowulf's father died at a young age, rendering him fatherless, just as Grendel was described as well.
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