Wealtheow

Grendel, narrator of the story, first mentions Wealtheow when "determining how much is queen and how much queenly radiation [of Queen Wealtheow]" (Grendel 94). He laughs and then thinks to himself "Time-Space cross-section: Wealtheow" (Grendel 94).

Some translations of the name "Wealtheow" give it the definition "foreign slave," which she was, for her brother, Hygmod, married her off to Hrothgar in order to avoid the extermination of his people and himself. Thus, Wealtheow was to live as a slave catering to Hrothgar and the Danes, though she did not belong with them.

Grendel admires Wealtheow when he first sees her. She is beautiful, and had the ability to change Hrothgar's mind about attacking Hygmod. Her beauty stops Grendel from attacking Herot, but eventually Grendel decides to kill her, for she is a lie, like the Shaper. After Grendel realizes that killing her would get him no where, just as not killing her would, he decides not to kill her. Seeing her naked, Grendel becomes disenchanted with her, and instead begins to scorn Wealtheow.

Wealtheow's role in Anglo-Saxon culture appears to act as hostess to guests and soldiers alike. She "pores the wine" to the men and is the peace-keeper when things start heating up. Of course, the novel reflects this aspect when Wealtheow is given to Hrothgar, keeping the peace between the Danes and Helmlings.