Freawaru

Character Analysis

The women in Grendel live fairly predictable lives: they grow to be lovely women (must be those seasonal baths), they attract the notice of the menfolk, and they quickly become pawns in the political intrigues of the day.

We hate to make it sound so utterly boring, but there it is.

A Pawn in Men's Games

Poor Freawaru doesn't have much of a chance to change any of this. As King Hrothgar's daughter, sooner or later she will be married off to Ingeld, king of the hostile Heathobards, just to make sure he doesn't plunder Daddy's treasure trove and kill all of his subjects.

It seems like a good idea, we guess. What's the happiness of one girl when the survival of a whole race of people is on the line? Unless, however, something goes wrong... and something always goes wrong. If you doubt us, take a look at our section on Wealtheow or check out the story of Hildeburh. Basically, Freawaru is being set up for a lifetime of heartache.

We only get one real glimpse of Freawaru in Gardner's novel. She seems sweet enough, making eyes at cousin Hrothulf and learning how to pass the mead bowl like her hostess stepmother, Wealtheow. But we can't help thinking there should be some horror-movie-warning-music playing softly in the background.

Beowulf hears the sound of doom, too, when he listens to Hrothgar blabbering on about marrying Freawaru to an enemy king. We believe his exact thoughts were: "He knew a doomed dynasty when he saw one" (164). The dude may be creepy, but he certainly has a good head on his rippling shoulders.