Truth

When the shaper first goes to Hrothgar's meadhall, Grendel is intrigued by the songs he sings.  Grendel wants to believe what he sings, but after years of watching Hrothgar and his people, it is obvious that the shaper sings of not only truth, but also fiction.  He embellishes and exaggerates stories.  The shaper focuses on the positive things Hrothgar and his men have done, while eliminating the losses and negative parts of the past.  Propaganda is similar to what the shaper does because it gives a biased look on an issue or topic that could be view at from many different angles.  It focuses on a positive element of the topic to try and mask the negatives that come from it.  It can also exaggerate the wrongdoings of an enemy.  Propaganda is frequently used in war, and perhaps most memorably in World War II.  A very iconic example of propaganda posters is that of "Rosie the Riveter."  It was to represent and encourage women who took over factory jobs that men who went to war left behind.  It is hard to identify what is the truth whenever conflict arises because each side has their own perspective and tries to convince as many people as they can that they are right.  The truth can be hard to identify and at times hard to believe.  Grendel knows the shaper sings a mix of truth and lies, but still cannot stop listening.