Truth

Grendel hears the Shaper's tales and is compelled by them, despite knowing they are untrue. The Shaper uses intense persuasion and propaganda through his songs and music. Even propaganda that is almost obviously untrue grabs many people's attraction. Those "5 Foods You Should Never Eat! Shed 10 lbs. of Belly Fat in Two Weeks!" ads suck. They're obviously not legitimate. Then why is it that people still click on them and stop eating bananas because the Internet told them to? Because propaganda is powerful, especially when the advertiser knows what will attract people. People are paid to make you want to buy things. That's why we're constantly bombarded with advertisements claiming they'll make your skin perfect and your headache better and that this company's food is cheap and good and this company's clothes will make you beautiful. I refuse to believe that people actually think all the propaganda forced upon them is actually true. Despite it's apparent exaggerations and false claims, over and over we buy new products and pay for things that no one needs. In Grendel, the music the Shaper plays is so convincing yet so false that even Grendel, who knows the whole truth, and Hrothgar's men, who at least know what they have done, ignore their known truth and go along with what the Shaper tells them.

Modern Day Grendel

Grendel being a destructive "monster" and killing for the sake of killing relates to modern day natural disasters. Like hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes, Grendel's slaughter of Hrothgar's people is unavoidable; it is unavoidable fate. Especially according to the dragon, Grendel's purpose is to cause terror and thus evoke religion, art, and the furthering of the society of men. He does not kill necessarily to right the wrongs committed by men, but because it is his destiny to destroy. Natural disasters don't occur to avenge the wrongdoings of society, but just purely because that's what happens. Grendel, like natural disasters, kill without direct intention, but are unavoidable, needed, and ineffable things. Precautions can be made to lessen the death toll (evacuation and shelters in the case of natural disasters, warriors like Beowulf and Hrothgar's men in the case of Grendel) but ultimately the occurrence is going to take lives. It's only fate.

Me

My name is Claire. I'm a 16 year old junior at Whitney Young High School in Chicago. I'm in Mr. McCarthy's first period British Literature class. I live on the south side of Chicago. I don't like writing about myself. I have a brother, Brice, who just graduated from Whitney Young and is now going to DePaul. I have a dog named Clyde. I leave school after 6th period every day to go to AP studio drawing and painting classes at Gallery 37. I'm a mediocre metalworker. I collect pennies and the little green stem bit on oranges. I like pomegranates and mangoes more than I like most people. My favorite books are Thus Spake Zarathustra, James and the Giant Peach, and I Am the Messenger. My favorite movies are The Royal Tenenbaums, Donnie Darko, Room in Rome, and anything featuring Jay and Silent Bob. I had dreadlocks up until a few weeks ago. I appreciate that Mr.McCarthy plays reggae in the morning. I like Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, David Bowie, XXYYXX, Pink Floyd, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Mos Def, Flying Lotus, Kanye West, The Cure, Animal Collective, Die Antwoord, Balam Acab, The Flaming Lips, The Temptations, The Kinks, The Velvet Underground, Led Zepplein, Nelly, Shlohmo, Serengeti, Odd Future, Lou Reed, Neon Indian, Nirvana, Sufjan Stevens, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Slutever, Tool...

The End