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.