Around the 10th century, women were not very respected. They often took a back seat in society and were even considered less than men. This is also true in the literature of that period in which women are never the protagonists or heroines. However, in the epic poem “Beowulf”, of unknown source dating back to around the 10th century, women play an important role. They may not be the center of attention, but they are still very important. The women of “Beowulf” host the men, attempt to maintain the peace and defy 10th-century social expectations of what it means to be a woman. They play the vital role of hostess, peace weaver and contradiction to standard women. The first role of women in "Beowulf" is the mistress of the house. It was a very important work at the time "Beowulf" was set. From a social perspective, visiting warriors needed to be provided with food and drink while in a hall, such as Heorot, to keep them friendly with the local king. A great example of this is Wealhtheow. She is visibly seen in Heorot distributing mead to the Geat warriors, trying to be as friendly as possible (610-630). This is not always common in mead halls, but when it happens it is a sign of respect for visitors as well as a sign of a good hostess. Furthermore, Wealhtheow distributes pairs to all men. He really wants to make the Geats feel at home in Heorot, so he gives them gifts. This is also a sign of a good hostess as she tries to make her guests as comfortable as possible. Additionally, Freawaru, the princess and daughter of Hrothgar, also distributes mead. This shows that the Danes really want to be polite guests of the Geats. It's a big deal that the princess serves the warriors and Beowu... middle of paper... the other women. She is the only woman to directly fight and die in a real battle in "Beowulf." This is not normal by any standard at that time. Not only is Grendel's mother extremely abusive, but she is also an anomaly compared to the expectations of women in "Beowulf." Grendel's mother challenges what it means to be a woman in "Beowulf" through her pure love of violence and practical approach to battle. In conclusion, the women of "Beowulf" play the key roles of weaver of peace, mistress of the house and contradiction to the world. standard woman. They house men, attempt to maintain the peace, and challenge 10th-century social expectations of what it means to be a woman. Despite the fact that women are not the main focus of “Beowulf,” they are necessary to the story. Fortunately today, women play all kinds of important and prominent roles in literature and society. Works Cited Beowulf