Beowulf

HELP!Explain the purpose of Wealhtheows speech to the men at Beowulfs celebration feast. How does the reader know she is a signigicant character? how is her comment to Beowulf upon awarding of his torque a threatening one?

Lines 1167-1190 and 1217-1231

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Wealhtheow is Queen of the Spear-Danes and wife of King Hrothgar. She has is a woman who puts on a great ceremony. More importantly, she uses her matriarchal charms to smooth issues over between the Geats and Danes. She has one long speech wit a lot of undertones. She wants Beowulf to defend the rights of her young sons, Hrethric and Hrothmund, to the throne. There is a certain threat in her tone to Beowulf warning him not to take the throne that belongs to her sons. Beowulf is the most celebrated of warriors so she is worried he could easily take the throne.