
Wealtheow is the second woman who appears in Grendel. She is as Helming princess who is given to Hrothgar as his child wife by Hygomod, a rival king as tribute to Hrothgar’s power and prestige. Both Grendel and the Danes are spellbound by Wealtheow’s beauty and Grendel describes her as, “a women in a robe of threaded silver, her smooth long hair was as red as fire and as soft as the ruddy sheen on dragon’s gold, her face was gently, mysteriously calm” (Gardner 100). The name Wealtheow means “holy servant of common good” (Gardner 100). As Hrothgar’s wife, Wealtheow is a servant to his people and his kingdom. Grendel is instantly drawn to Wealtheow not only because of her beauty but the way she is able to dispel conflict with Hrothgar’s people. Wealtheow is portrayed as a servant and a peace-maker in the novel. Her love for Hrothgar is not true love but a love for her people and home and the need to protect them. She gives up her freedom and happiness for her people and goes to live with a man who is more than 30 years her senior. Wealtheow is a selfless person who puts the love for her people before herself.
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