Gender Roles in Beowulf and Leigh Sir Launfal

According to J.R.R. Tolkien, ​Beowulf ​was most likely written by an 8th-century Anglo-Saxon poet shortly after England converted to Christianity. Many of its characters are historical figures from Scandanavian and Anglo-Saxon descent. A tightly woven tapestry of paganism and Christianity, the epic reveals much about social issues of the day. ​Beowulf provides insight into being a brother’s keeper and the steadfast courage required to do so. On the other hand, the lais of Marie de France point out flaws of courtly love in Medieval France.

Much of twelfth century poetry centered on the court and the community which it embodied. In comparison to other works of the period,​ ​Marie gives female characters a central role in her work. Audaciously, she challenges the notion of rejecting duty for romantic love.

Both poems provide proof of equality among the sexes. In the Middle Ages men and women were regarded as free and as equals. Nevertheless, certain expectations and roles were presumed for each.

Being brave protectors and courageous conquerors was expected of men.. While a woman’s primary responsibility was bearing children and running the home.

In addition, noble women were pawns of marital peace treaties and served alongside husbands as coregents. In each poem, male characters manifested quintessential traits of dominance and authority. ​Beowulf’s ​Queen Wealhtheow possesses quiet, dignified authority. Marie de France’s Lay of Milon​ presents a dejected knight and an ethereal fairy queen who wields more influence and wealth than the infamous King Arthur himself.

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True to fiction, testosterone surges through ​Beowulf​. Male characters battle fiercely and party intently. The Defender of the Danes, Beowulf, arrives to save the day. In typical Germanic hero fashion, he boldly declares he who has battled sea monsters will fight the demon single-handedly (X, 21; XI, 16-23 ). The expectation is clear. Men are to be their brother’s keeper, even assisting in protecting their domain. Of course modern men can identify with this pack of warriors called to arms for God, Geatland, and glory!

As is often the case, behind every good leader is a great woman. Beautiful, noble, Wealhtheow is the wife of Hrothgar, King of the Danes, and a politically savvy woman (X, 55-56). She demonstrates her role in maintaining peace between the warring tribes of Danes and Geats (X, 65-69). Much like the Proverbs 31 wife, she is “prudent of customs” and “excellent of heart…and sure of speech” (X, 55, 68). More than a lowly servant, Wealhtheow owns her role as a servant leader. The weight of the words she speaks to each man indicates the power she wields in the hall. With the King’s ear, the Queen has the power to urge war, change his mind, or calm his uneasy spirit.

Marie de France depicts men in a similar light. In ​The Lai of Launfal​, King Arthur has returned from war with his loyal band of champions. By describing the king as “fearless and courteous,” the poet uses the courtly language with which her listeners can identify. Whether through oversight or dislike, Sir Launfal has been slighted. Instead of confronting the wrong or taking his leave, he escapes to the countryside to contemplate his sad life. One ponders how nobility or courage to fight for justice is reflected in his actions.

Conversely, it is the female in Marie’s tale who is empowered. Not only does the mysterious fairy woman possess great wealth, she is stunningly beautiful. Though an able warrior, Launfal is a disdained soul and weakened in his flesh. In his distraction, he embraces his base desires, casting off duty. Unable or unwilling to resist, Launfal is not the only one who succumbs to the siren song of elvish women in the poem rendering men incapable of rational thought. Turning traditional genders roles upside down, it is the woman who keeps court, answers to none, and meets all the knight’s needs, physical, emotional, monetary. A man’s power is found in his sword, a woman’s power is in her looks. Marie challenges the traditional values of chivalry and chastity, love and honor.

In both works of poetry, men and women fulfill unspoken, assumed roles. If the reader looks closely, there are overlooked responsibilities assumed by the female characters of Beowulf​ and outright nonconventional assumptions made by characters in ​Lay of Launfal​. The author of ​Beowulf​ begins with the premise that men and women are equal. When each takes on their God-given duty, society remains orderly. While Marie de France challenges the values of courtly love and its implications in society. By leaving behind old loyalties to the status quo, Marie challenges hearers and readers to ponder “charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Works Cited

1. Beowulf: An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem. Translated by Lesslie Hal, Project Gutenberg, 2005,https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16328/16328-h/16328-h.htm
2. Marie de France. The Lays of Marie de France. Translated by Eugene Mason, 1911. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/11417/11417-h/11417-h.htm