Hygd, introduced in line 1925 of the poem ''

Beowulf ''Beowulf'' (; ang, Bēowulf ) is an Old English epic poem in the tradition of Germanic heroic legend consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. It is one of the most important and most often translated works of Old English literature. The ...

'', is the wife of Monarch, King Hygelac of Götaland, Geatland. She is the daughter of Hæreth. After Beowulf (hero), Beowulf defeats Grendel and Grendel's mother, he and his men returned to their native country, where they are received by Hygelac and Hygd. Hygd is beautiful, wise, courteous, and attentive. She pours mead in the drinking horns of the warriors thus fulfilling (in the same vein as Wealhþeow, the queen of Denmark) the important role of ''hostess'' and cup-bearer in the poem. The poet juxtaposes this virtue with the vice of Queen Modþryð (who appears in line 1932). Beowulf gives her three horses and a magnificent torc (the ''Brosing'', i.e. Brisingamen, the necklace of the goddess Freyja) that he received from Wealhþeow. Hygd shows her wisdom and love for the Geatish people when her husband falls in the raid in Frisia against the Franks. Instead of securing the throne for her own offspring, she offers it to

as she considers her son Heardred to be too inexperienced to defend Götaland, Geatland against the Suiones, Swedes. Beowulf, however, talks in favour of young Heardred and convinces her to proclaim him King of the Geats instead. Two Swedish princes, Eadgils and Eanmund, arrive and ask for protection as their uncle Onela had usurped the Swedish throne. Heardred graciously offers them his protection, which leads to a Swedish invasion in which Heardred is slain. The Swedish warrior Weohstan kills Eanmund, and Beowulf can no longer refuse Hygd's offer of kingship.

References

Characters in Beowulf English heroic legends Geats {{lit-char-stub

Further reading

References