Afternoon of Alterity - Nazareth College

Characters such as Wealtheow and Hildeburh fulfill these rolesexisting in perfect harmony with the discourses of society, exhibitedby Wealtheow’s decision to not openly speak against Hrothulf inrelation to the inheritance of her sons Hrethric and Hrothmund(Beowulf 1179-1190). Grendel’s Mother does not act as the “peacemaking,”“cup-passing queen” (Chance 248). She, through pregnancy,perpetuates the race of Cain and therefore evil. Grendel’s Mother isa monstrous being because she functions in masculine ways. Eventhrough pregnancy Grendel’s Mother is still acting as male. The actof providing an heir to Cain’s legacy can be interpreted as revenge.Throughout the text she is referred to as “hell-bride,” “she,” and“his mother” yet her actions prove her to be the “feminine antitype”(Beowulf 1259, 1276, 1282, Acker 705). Grendel’s Mother’s abilityto act aggressively using violence in a way typically reserved for men,and to operate in the revenge killing system of Anglo-Saxon societycreates a character that bends the traditional gender roles.The location of the battle, between Grendel’s Mother andBeowulf furthers the interpretation of female as monstrous. Thedistance between the warmth of society and Grendel’s Mother’sinhabitance was short but terrain and weather created the optimumfear in connection with her. Her home is described as “desolatefens… dismal woods… bloodshot water… infested with all kinds ofreptiles” (Beowulf 104, 1414, 1416, 1424). While this is not typicalnature imagery, it describes the Anglo-Saxon view of that whichis not ‘us’. Nature or society becomes the question and Grendel’sMother resides outside of the walls of society. She inhabits a worldwhere growth (both plant and animal) is not normal. Monsters andmagic, the dark, resides in the world that surrounds humanity, thelight. As a creature that resides in the villainous nature Grendel’sMother is dangerous and therefore monstrous.After Grendel’s death, Grendel’s Mother feels sorrow and anger.These emotions are typically reserved in literature for those who108 afternoons of alterity