Boasts and Arrogance

One thing that's stood out to me throughout most of the major pieces that we've read this semester is that there's a lot to do with - for lack of a better word - boasting, or at least talking about oneself. Augustine, Beowulf, and Abelard all really like discussing their actions and attitudes.

But there's a lot of room for difference between boasting and arrogance. Augustine is violently preoccupied with boasting about God, not about himself; his flaws are almost perversely touted, making ample excuse for thanksgiving and gratitude. Even Beowulf's boasts have a thread of humility to them, when it's obvious that he is only telling the truth in a culture that values valor and strength over all. His boasts don't border on bragging.

Abelard's running theme, however, tends to be focusing on his own martyrdom and victimhood. From the very first, he makes it clear that he is the greatest sufferer that he knows, and that he doesn't know of anyone who deserves to complain after they hear his story. His detractors only hate him because he speaks the truth. The account reeks of arrogance - bragging about his suffering, focusing only on the injustices done to him. He doesn't recount what God was done for him, or really much of what God has done at all; he doesn't even follow through on his promises, as Beowulf would.

Of course, Abelard does suffer - no one could say that his life was easy. But it's insulting and exceedingly arrogant for him to say that his suffering trumps everyone else's. Abelard is a disheartening, uncourageous follow-up to heroes like Augustine and Beowulf.

PS: I commented on Brydon's post.