Women in Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon societyBeowulf, one of the most translated and reproduced epic poems of all time, is literature about characters. Although Beowulf himself is the obvious hero of this Anglo-Saxon epic, many companions and traveling companions are mentioned in the text. Some of these secondary characters are almost as noble and brave as Beowulf himself, while others are lowly cowards. Whatever happens, everyone is captured in this timeless tale of adventure. Women, however, are rarely mentioned in Beowulf. This is due to the context of an Anglo-Saxon society with rigid beliefs and customs. Even though there is very little mention of women in Beowulf (and any other document of the time), it is possible to understand the position of women in an Anglo-Saxon society. Both Wealhtheow, Hrothgar's queen, and Hygd, Hygelac's queen, apparently, held power in their courts. Wealhtheow's actions in rewarding Beowulf after his battles show the queen's role and position as hostess. She assigns him "two arm ornaments, chain mail, rings" and a well... half of paper... men in that society, while it may have little tangible impact on life today, seems to imply that it is It is not entirely true that the Anglo-Saxons limited women's freedom in favor of a purely male and hero-worshipping society. Works Cited Beowulf and Other Old English Poems. Trans. Costanza B. Hieatt. New York; Odyssey Press, 1967.Gies, Frances and Joseph. Marriage and family in the Middle Ages. New York; Harper and Row, 1987.Page, RI Life in Anglo-Saxon England. New York; G. P. Putnam's children, 1970.