Woman As Hero In Old English Literature

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This comprehensive study delves into the portrayal of heroic women in Anglo-Saxon literature from the seventh to the eleventh centuries, highlighting the surprising abundance and strength of female characters despite the era's ideals of women's passivity. It reexamines key texts, focusing on figures such as the failed women in "The Wife's Lament" and "Wulf and Eadwacer," Grendel's mother in "Beowulf," and saints like Judith and Elene. The analysis draws on both recent and classic Anglo-Saxon studies, enriching the understanding of women's roles in this historical context.