In assessing the role of women in Beowulf’s world, some readers may be inclined
to suggest that their role is inconsequential. But this is contrary to what other
sources (law tracts for instance) tell us about Anglo-Saxon women. A closer look
at the text might suggest that rather than being inconsequential, the women of
Beowulf play an important political role. That role may be subversive of the
social order or may help achieve it. Find the many references to women in the
text (not all of them play a role in the plot). Use the appropriate references to
discuss their role in the political order. Caveat: Focus. I would suggest that
your outline be based on one important role that women play or perhaps on
several important roles that they play, using the examples of the women to
provide evidence for your conclusions. Or you might examine the role of one
significant female character (e.g., Grendels mother)? Or you write a
comparison/contrast paper, basing your outline on different approaches to a
single role. Or you may focus only on the mention of women who do not play a
role in the plot; that is, consider the digressions involving women. In any case,
your task is to provide substantial insight into a carefully focused topic. Be sure
that you have a thesis. That is a sentence like This paper will examine the roles
of women in Beowulf is too broad.
