Hospitality and generosity are major themes in Beowulf, and Wealhtheow is their most gracious representative. Wealhtheow is the perfect host. She is beautiful and richly attired, courteous, proper, and "excellent in virtues" (623). Following decorum, she offers the first cup of mead to King Hrothgar, her husband. She then proceeds through the hall, serving as she goes, but pays special attention to Beowulf, greeting him appropriately and thanking God for sending the great warrior. Apparently touched by the queen's grace, Beowulf vows that he will end that night with either victory over Grendel or his own death.
The role of women is limited in the epic; they were still thought of as chattel, possessions of their husbands. Among the nobility, however, they sometimes were used as peacemakers. Feuding tribes might find it in their best interests to unite through marriage. There is an indication that Queen Wealhtheow came to Hrothgar as a result of that kind of union. The novelist and scholar John Gardner makes more of that in his fictional account of the tale, titled Grendel (1971) and told sympathetically from the point of view of the ogre. Wealhtheow is from a Germanic tribe, a Helming or Wylfing. A connection like that could have aided Hrothgar when he bought a truce for Beowulf's father (470). Hrothgar has also sought peace with the Heathobards, another Germanic tribe, by giving his daughter in marriage to Prince Ingeld; this attempt fails when the Heathobards destroy Heorot, a future event referred to ominously by the Beowulf poet.
When Hrothgar retires for the night, he comments that this is the first night that he has ever entrusted the care of his hall to another man. Heorot is the symbol of his rule. In effect, Hrothgar is placing his reign in Beowulf's mighty hands. Significantly, he tells Beowulf to remember fame. Although the poet frequently mentions God, these warriors' credo is really devoted to glory, reputation, honor, wealth, and fame. The modern reader might benefit from understanding that fame and reputation are close to the same thing in Beowulf's world.
