In both texts, Beowulf and Grendel, the main purpose of the
Queen's are to serve the courts as "weavers of peace". In Grendel
however, Queen Wealththeow is described in much greater detail and
serves a further purpose. The reader gains insight to a part Grendel
that is not present in Beowulf, his desire for a human.
It was not unusual for women to be offered as tokens of peace
within the noble courts. In the novel Grendel, Wealhtheow's brother,
King of the Helmings, bestowed her to King Hrothgar to promote peace
amongst the Helmings and Scyldings. "She had given, her life for those
she lo…
