Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index

• Quick Search
• Advanced Search
• Article of the Month
• Translation of the Month
• Image of the Month
• Special Features

Record Number: 10500 Author(s)/Creator(s): Overing , Gillian R. Contributor(s): Title: The Women of "Beowulf": A Context for Interpretation [operation of desire within the poem and without; female characters as peace- weavers]. Source: Beowulf: Basic Readings.  Edited by Peter S. Baker.  Basic Readings in Anglo- Saxon England 1. Garland Publishing, 1995.  Pages 219 - 260. Description: Article Type: Essay Subject (See Also): Beowulf, Old English Epic Hildeburh (Literary Figure) Literature- Verse Modthryth (Literary Figure) Peace WeaversWealhtheow (Literary Figure) Women in Literature Award Note: Geographic Area: British Isles Century: 8-9 Primary Evidence: Illustrations: Table: Abstract: Related Resources: "Important for similar reasons, and similarly technical in the language it employs is Gillian R. Overing's "The Women of Beowulf: A Context for Interpretation." Like Kiernan's essay, Overing's contribution has been revised for inclusion here. It was originally published as "Gender and Interpretation in Beowulf" in "Language, Sign, and Gender in 'Beowulf'"(1990). Overing discusses Hildeburh, Wealtheow, and Modthryth as figures of otherness characterized respectively as silent, vocal, and unpredictable. Thus all are indexed, riddle-like, to ambiguity. My own experience is that my students -- particularly my graduate students -- welcome Overing's essay like an old friend. They have encountered other gender studies, and have come to appreciate the arguments and language in which these are generally couched. But the women of Beowulf(and my students enjoy discussing whether Grendel's mother should be among them) present problems they had not imagined from their experience with other, more clearly contextualized literatures. The essay then serves not only Overing's exploration of desire and gender in the poem, but it also leads contemporary students to look again at a work which they have all too often dismissed as an object for projects of contemporary analysis." From the review written by Patrick W. Conner of "Beowulf: Basic Readings," "Medieval Review" (TMR ID: 96.12.11). [Reproduced by permission of the "Medieval Review."]. Author's Affiliation: Conference Info: - , - Year of Publication: 1995. Language: English ISSN/ISBN: 0815300980

Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index ©2014. Hosted by The University of Iowa Libraries.