The Dream of the Rood

The Dream of the Rood

Author: maybe(!) Caedmon or CynewulfWhen: 10th century - the Vercelli Book 8th century - the Ruthwell Cross Genre: Dream vision; Christian poem Period: Anglo-Saxon; Old English Literarure Voice: 1st voice - The man who has a dream 2nd voice - A cross

Basic informations

- Arriterate verse - "Rood" originated from Old English “rōd” (pole) Reference to the Crucifix on which Christ accepted his death - No clarity regarding the authorship (those two are just the only poets we know from this period) - poet employs devices such like: consonance assonance metaphor personification

Christian and Pagan

Paganism

Christianity

- language of a heroic poetry and elegy - complex, echoic structure - ambuigity and wordplay of the Riddles - personification of the cross - the appearance of the cross - warlike, bloody depiction - boasting - warrior-like qualities

- religious poem - values proclaimed by Christianity - the adherence to religious doctrine

First part

Third part

Second part

The vision

Reflection

The cross' speech

The narrator had a vision of a cross and when he saw the cross, he noticed that it was covered with gems. He observed that how glorious the tree is. But suddenly he saw that amidst the beautiful stones it is stained with blood.

The cross describes the moment of Jesus' death. The story begun when the enemy came and cut down the tree and carried it away. The tree realised that it was not be the bearer of a criminal but a holy person who is crucified. It was honoured above all trees just as Jesus is honoured above all men.

The author gave his refrection about his vision. When the vision ends the author left with his thoughts. He praised the God which he had seen is his vision. And he wanted once again to be near the glory cross.