Final answer:
The Shaper in John Gardner's 'Grendel' exemplifies the moral responsibility of the artist to shape society's culture and perceptions, resonating with Gardner's philosophy of the artist as an agent of societal reform.
Step-by-step explanation:
In John Gardner's philosophy, the Shaper in Grendel emphasizes the moral responsibility of the artist to society. The Shaper represents an artist who not only crafts art but also shapes the perceptions and culture of the people. This aligns with Gardner's belief that art has the power to reform society by envisioning and articulating a yet-to-exist reality. Thus, the Shaper's affirmations touch on points like there being no border between artist and craftsman, viewing the artist as an exalted craftsman, and the concept that form follows function. Allowing for collaborative reflection, articulating society's story, and the embodiment of cultural narrative responsibilities resonate with Gardner's philosophy that the artist bears the responsibility for cultural and social shaping.
Philosophically, artists engage with nature as their subject, mirroring natural philosopher's work and moral philosopher's ponderings on virtues, vices, and passions, as implied in the view that artists and craftsmen play out nature's script. It is the creative spirit, the spiritual necessity of art, that connects human beings across time, embodying the profound moral obligations held by the artist.