Blog Assignment 2

In the context of Beowulf I found fame to be a close parrallel to vanity. The motif of celebration and self promotion is present from the beginning of the work, even going so far as to serve as the inciting incident (when the noise of the feast awakes Grendel). This sets the tone for the rest of the tale as issues of reputation and valor are as integral as the battle with the beast. Issues of Beowulf's reputation are cast in doubt, putting a palor over the tale and utilized as a dramatic device. The importance of fame (and reputation) is put over deeds, accomplishment, and concrete realities of the assembled fictional world. This mirrors my preconceptions of the medieval world. In all the readings it seems that perception and the opinion of others is always at a premium. Through Augustine and other lives of the Saints there is no emphasis put on what someone thinks of themselves, but rather the opinion held of them by God. The same is true with Beowulf. Little effort is put into the character's or other introversions. Fame and by extension reputation have been given an enormous amount of credence in the semester. I find this fitting as even though the majority of the world was commoners, only the upper class (those who couldbe concerned with their reputation) could afford to by books.

I am wondering if the prevalent of theme and reputation is a case of an author pandering to the audience.

-Joel Walkowski