Emphasis on Fame Throughout Beowulf

The Germanic pagan belief that fame is the only thing that will survive a human being’s death, still lives on today. Whether one makes an impression on another for good or evil, a memory is created that will keep that human being alive in the mind of those affected. The term fame itself, however, has changed meanings. In the time period when Beowulf is composed, fame came to those heroic figures who conquered evil; those who "saved the day." In our time period, however, fame can come to those "heroes," but more so, fame comes to those associated with the entertainment business. On the flip side, fame can even come to those associated with the evil in society. For example, Osama Bin-Laden, has received a great deal of fame in just this past week. In the American culture, he is looked at as a figure of evil, a Grendel. However, to many of his followers, he is looked at as the good, to those followers, Bin-Laden is a Beowulf. Our contemporary society does place emphasis on fame...