What does this lesser fear of Grendel's mother reveal about the Anglo-Saxons?

Answer 1

The lesser fear of Grendel's mother compared to Grendel himself reveals the Anglo-Saxons' perception of gender roles and the nature of evil. Grendel, as a powerful male monster, embodies a more significant threat to the heroic ideals of masculinity and community, while his mother, though dangerous, is viewed as a more primal and less strategic force. This dynamic suggests that the Anglo-Saxons may have seen male figures as the primary sources of chaos and conflict, while female figures were often relegated to secondary roles in their narratives of heroism and valor. Thus, it reflects broader societal attitudes towards gender and the nature of threats within their cultural mythology.