blog assignment 2

In Beowulf’s world, fame was often achieved through great deeds on the battlefield or through a leader’s noble wisdom. This would mean that, unless a person was a king or a well-known warrior, he would be relatively unknown. Therefore, people would often borrow the fame of family members, usually a son borrowing his father’s, by declaring themselves as son of [a warrior’s name]. By doing this, one could achieve some renown and make connections with other people. In fact, this borrowing had become so common place that everyone was introduced relative to their father no matter their social standings. However, people, namely Beowulf, eventually performed great deeds, and their fame skyrocketed mainly because kings would reward them and poems or songs would be sung. Interestingly, saints such as Martin and Anthony became famous in similar ways; they performed miracles, word spread, and people flocked to them. Despite this similarity, fame in Beowulf’s world came from a person’s own deeds and thus was something to be proud of, while the saints’ fame was not to be celebrated because it came from God’s borrowed power.

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

Every character in the book had to talk about their father, of which family lineage they are from, before they can identify themselves. The story seems to take place in a land where fame and reputation are carried on and uphold from one to another. Hrothgar would first recognize Beowulf's father and his accomplishments before he recognizes Beowulf--and Hrothgar, among others, expect Beowulf to stand up to such reputation.
We can also identify how "worthy" a person from the book is, by the amount of goods they carry.
Beowulf brings some weapons on shore before fighting for Hrothgar, yet after every fight, his possessions become more expensive as with his fame. Although he returned to his home with them, he was yet again prized for his voyage to help Hrothgar. His fame back home is less, but still plentiful.
During the fight with the dragon, Wiglaf mentioned once "he considered us worthy of glory, and gave me these treasures..." (69) relating how goods were a symbol of power, and responsibility and fame.
Lastly, among the burials, plenty of goods were buried along were the person to be famous. ie.) Beowulf's burial was 'bigger' than his father's.

I relate fame to possession of goods.
I question the idea of bloodline where goods and fame and loyalty are "supposed" to be passed on from one generation to the next. Why does the author think that a hero must be heroic and powerful? is it related to the part of the thinking of the medieval era, where everyone needs to do good deed, or they would be damned?

Beowulf is described as being "the strongest and mightiest man alive." He approaches Hrothgar with what seems a list of prerequisits for the job of slaying the demon. His introduction revealed him as a powerful man "worthy of the respect of nobles." Hrothgar describs knowing him by way of his lineage. To me fame in the time of Beowulf is coupled with the might of the sword, and the bravery and respectability of the warrior. There is also a factor of noble birth in fame of this time; however, from reading it appears that with out glory in battle one cannot maintain the nobility of his name. I have just started reading Beowulf so my question is how will Beowulf's fame grow, and what factors of his tasks will cause it to grow the most.

Readings

Friday: Read Beowulf, The Wanderer and The Seafarer, which are located at the back of your Beowulf text.
Monday: Read Gregory of Tours, The History of the Franks, Prologue and Books 1&2.

Blog Assignment # 2

Discuss fame in the context of Beowulf, feel free to bring in comparisons from our previous readings.

Blog Assignment # 2

Discuss fame in the context of Beowulf, feel free to bring in comparisons from our previous readings.