Planets as actors in the poem.

Planets as Individual Characters in the Poem

Hrothgar is the planet Jupiter, second only to the wise, and silent, Saturn. In the poem a “day” on the ecliptic must include Hrothgar.

Hrothulf is the planet Saturn, the major time maker. He is mentioned as present only once, at the rebuilding of Heirot, which would require his presence. (Heaney 2000, l. 1015) Traditionally Saturn, Cronos, last of the Titans, was silent. In this first poem he is the only named character who doesn’t speak.

Wealhtheow is the planet Venus, because in Classical culture it is the only planet with a feminine character, and because of her action in moving from bench to bench in distributing the mead. This is the retrograde motion of planets that sit between the earth and the sun. All planets seem to have this forward then backward motion, but the planets that are between the earth and the sun have a more noticeable retrograde. Only Venus makes a motion that shows her moving between the benches or stand by the throne, the western fish. (Mar., Apr. 599)

Unferth is the planet Mercury; his character is determined by his position in relation to the sun. If he precedes the sun, he is unreliable. If he follows the sun, he is a trusted advisor. Perhaps Bloomfield (An Anthology of Beowulf Criticism, 156) would have been more at peace with his interpretation of the name if he had known that the poet was referring to Mercury, who is known as the one “…who goes both ways.”

Wulfgar and the retainers are Mars.