When writing a biography, authors convey their own biased opinion about the topic at hand. A tool that can be utilized in doing so is called propaganda. Propaganda can be defined as biased information used to promote a particular point of view. In order to persuade his or her readers even further, the author may omit or over-emphasize some facts to make their position look more appealing. However, there are some biographers that will tell the truth regardless of how it makes them look. Einhard is an example of a biographer who put his biography above his reputation. who wrote it and when Once a scholar at the court of Charlemagne, Einhard wrote a biography entitled Vita Caroli Magni or Life of Charles The Great, in the
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“I had not made up my mind that it was better to risk the opinions of the world, and put my little talents for composition to the test, than to slight the memory of so great a man for the sake of sparing myself. King Charles bestowed upon me in my childhood, and my constant friendship with himself and his children after I took up my abode at court. In this way he strongly endeared me to himself, and made me greatly his debtor as well in death as in life, so that were I unmindful of the benefits conferred upon me, to keep silence concerning the most glorious and illustrious deeds of a man who claims so much at my hands, and suffer his life to lack due eulogy and written memorial, as if he had never lived.” This quote could be interpreted as Einhard saying that he is not a good enough writer to be conveying Charlemagne’s story to the general public. He was more concerned about portraying the good ruler and friend that Charlemagne was to him, than any backlash that he might have received for writing such positive things. In addition, since Einhard did not have much himself, writing this biography could be his way of paying Charlemagne back for all that he has done for him during his reign. Einhard’s biography could be considered a positive propaganda and a way to encourage people to view Charlemagne in a more positive light rather than one of greed and
“I had not made up my mind that it was better to risk the opinions of the world, and put my little talents for composition to the test, than to slight the memory of so great a man for the sake of sparing myself. King Charles bestowed upon me in my childhood, and my constant friendship with himself and his children after I took up my abode at court. In this way he strongly endeared me to himself, and made me greatly his debtor as well in death as in life, so that were I unmindful of the benefits conferred upon me, to keep silence concerning the most glorious and illustrious deeds of a man who claims so much at my hands, and suffer his life to lack due eulogy and written memorial, as if he had never lived.” This quote could be interpreted as Einhard saying that he is not a good enough writer to be conveying Charlemagne’s story to the general public. He was more concerned about portraying the good ruler and friend that Charlemagne was to him, than any backlash that he might have received for writing such positive things. In addition, since Einhard did not have much himself, writing this biography could be his way of paying Charlemagne back for all that he has done for him during his reign. Einhard’s biography could be considered a positive propaganda and a way to encourage people to view Charlemagne in a more positive light rather than one of greed and