Why queen Wealtheow Refused to Give King Hrothgar a Child

In the 2007 film "Beowulf," King Hrothgar is portrayed as a lousy king who loves to get drunk along with his men. 

Despite his behavior, he was a great king who won many battles and conquered various lands. However, the only problem that the king had was a son who could inherit his kingdom and continue his legacy. 

His beautiful wife, Wealtheow, actually refused to give him a child. In this blog, we will explore the reasons why Queen Wealtheow refused to give King Hrothgar a child.

King Hrothgar is portrayed as a great warrior and king in the film "Beowulf." He has won many battles and conquered various lands. 

However, he is also portrayed as a lousy king who loves to get drunk along with his men. Despite his behavior, he is still respected by his people and is seen as a great leader.

The Curse of the Water Demon

King Hrothgar is cursed by the water demon serpent in exchange for power as one mighty king of Heorot. The curse was that he would not be able to have any human child except his son Grendel. 

This was the reason why even though he was the king, he did not have any children.

The Water Demon's Secret Affair with King Hrothgar

King Hrothgar had a secret affair with the water demon serpent, which resulted in the birth of Grendel. 

This secret affair was the reason why Queen Wealtheow refused to give him a child. She knew about the affair and did not want to bear a child for her husband who had betrayed her trust.

Queen Wealtheow's Disapproval of King Hrothgar's Behavior

Queen Wealtheow disapproved of King Hrothgar's behavior, which included getting drunk with his men. She wanted her husband to be a better role model for their people and to lead by example.

 However, King Hrothgar continued to indulge in his behavior, which caused Queen Wealtheow to distance herself from him emotionally.

King Hrothgar's Infidelity

King Hrothgar's infidelity with the water demon serpent was not the only reason why Queen Wealtheow refused to give him a child. 

Queen Wealtheow was hurt and betrayed by her husband's infidelity, and she did not want to bear a child for him.

Queen Wealtheow's Loyalty to her People

Queen Wealtheow was a loyal queen who cared deeply about her people. She knew that if she were to bear a child for King Hrothgar, it would cause a succession crisis in the kingdom. 

The child would be seen as a potential threat to the succession of King Hrothgar's other children, including Grendel, and would cause a power struggle in the kingdom. 

Queen Wealtheow did not want to put her people through such a crisis, and so she refused to give King Hrothgar a child.

The Water Demon's Threat to the Kingdom

The water demon serpent was a threat to the kingdom and to King Hrothgar's reign. 

Queen Wealtheow knew that if she were to bear a child for King Hrothgar, it would increase the likelihood of the water demon serpent returning to the kingdom to claim the child. 

This would put the kingdom in danger and would threaten the safety of the people. Queen Wealtheow did not want to put her people in harm's way, and so she refused to give King Hrothgar a child.

Final Words

Moreover, the film portrayed Wealtheow as a strong and intelligent queen who stood up for herself and her people. 

She was not just a mere object or possession of the king, but an influential figure who has the power to make decisions that can affect the entire kingdom. 

In the movie, Wealtheow was not just a passive character who followed her husband's every whim but rather a woman who knew her worth and value.

In addition to that, it was hinted that Wealtheow knew about Hrothgar's affair with the Water Demon. She might have chosen not to have a child with him because she did not want to have a child that was not entirely human or tainted with evil. 

Wealtheow was aware of the consequences of having a child with the Water Demon, as it was clear that Grendel, Hrothgar's son with the Water Demon, was a monster that caused havoc and destruction in the kingdom.

It can also be argued that Wealtheow's decision not to have a child with Hrothgar was a form of protest against the patriarchal society they lived in. 

In the movie, women were often portrayed as subservient to men and were expected to fulfill their duties as wives and mothers. 

Wealtheow's refusal to have a child with Hrothgar challenged this societal norm and demonstrated her agency as a woman.

It is also possible that Wealtheow's decision was influenced by her loyalty to her people. She might have seen the potential danger that a child with the Water Demon could bring to the kingdom and did not want to risk the safety of her people. 

As a queen, Wealtheow had the responsibility to protect her kingdom, and her decision not to have a child with Hrothgar may have been a manifestation of this responsibility.

Wealtheow's refusal to have a child with Hrothgar can be interpreted as an act of resistance against the curse that plagued her husband. 

The curse that prevented Hrothgar from having a human child except for Grendel was a result of his deal with the Water Demon. 

Wealtheow might have seen this curse as a manifestation of evil and refused to participate in it by not having a child with Hrothgar.

In conclusion, Wealtheow's decision not to have a child with Hrothgar can be attributed to various factors such as her knowledge of Hrothgar's affair with the Water Demon, her agency as a woman, her loyalty to her people, and her resistance against the curse that plagued her husband. 

Wealtheow's character in the movie demonstrated that women can play a significant role in the decision-making process and challenge societal norms that restrict their agency.