Lance

It was not unusual for women to be offered as tokens of peace within the noble courts. In the novel Grendel, Wealhtheow's brother, King of the Helmings, bestowed her to King Hrothgar to promote peace amongst the Helmings and Scyldings. "She had given, her life for those she loved. So would any simpering, eyelash batting female in her court, given the proper setup, the minimal conditions"(Grendel, p.102). It is ironic how she promoted peace …

…with his fists". His motive for killing her was justified by wanting to teach the Danes reality, but he refrained because it would be "pointless pleasure". Grendel was clearly unhappy about his desire for Wealtheow, and was disconcerted. He contemplated killing her because he wanted to get rid of these feelings, instead he decided to focus on the undesirable side Wealhtheow, "her unqueenly shrieks" and "the ugliness between her legs(the bright tears of blood)."