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22 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What three parts is the poem's plot divided into? |
1) The Dreamer's initial reaction to vision of the Cross. 2) The monologue of the Rood describing the Crucifixion. 3) The Dreamer's conversion and resolution to seek the salvation of the cross. |
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How is the Rood and Christ linked as one in the poem? |
In the portrayal of the Passion, they are both pierced with nails, mocked and tortured, and finally killed and buried. They are both resurrected and the cross is adorned with gold and silver. |
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What are the major themes in the poem? |
Suffering and triumph, transformation from defeat to victory, Christianity. |
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How does Bernard F. Huppe summarise the poems transformation from defeat to victory? |
"the Crucifixion is pictured as a battle and both Christ and the Cross as warriors, whose deaths are victories, and whose burials are preludes to the triumph of their Resurrections." |
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What is the textual history of the poem? |
1) Source and authorship unknown, though many critics credit this to Cynewulf (c. 770-840). 2)The earliest evidence of the text is found on the Ruthwell Cross, with passages in the Northumbrian dialect- 8th century is proposed for the cross because of the Golden Age of Northumbria. 3) The most complete text is in the Vercelli Book- assigned to 2nd half of 10th century. |
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How did J. A. Burrow critically react to the poem? |
"one of the first and one of the most successful treatments in English of the theme of the Crucifixion" |
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How important was the Anglo-Saxon heroic code? |
The ideology surrounding the comitatus and warrior culture was important to their culture and literature. It influenced communities, law and was the basis for their conduct as well as a common theme for poetry and literature. E.g. Beowulf. |
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What is the comitatus in Anglo-Saxon history? |
A system of relationships that describe loyalty and partnership. An extremely affluent class which consisted of the elite e.g. a landowner or the leader of a warband is a member of a comitatus. It is headed by a lord, who in turn is retainer of the king. |
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What does Adelheid L. J. Thieme write about the Anglo-Saxon concept of a comitatus? |
"relationships are strengthened by...means of gift-giving". But there is an "absence of extensive historical records", so we rely on literary sources to understand what gift-exchange meant for the readers of the 'rood' poem. There are powerful examples of this in 'Beowulf'haW |
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What is the purpose of gift-giving in 'The Dream of the Rood'? |
1) It emphasises the importance of the gift that Christ has given mankind. 2) It highlights the need for the git to be reciprocated. Any person who wants to achieve the glory of God as Christ and the Cross did must actively participate in their struggle. 3) to draw attention to pre-Christian and Christian values. |
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What effect does the role of Christianity have in the poem? |
It smooths out the transitory period of moving towards Christianity, whilst working to preserve the culture and traditions that already existed before the mass conversion. The Christian characters fit into the comitatus theme of Germanic warrior culture. |
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How is Christ presented in the poem? |
Not the same as in the Bible or Latin texts. He is brave and stoic like a great warrior. "strang ond stidmod" = strong and resolute (line 40). He approaches death like a glorious battle. Christ functions in a similar way to Beowulf. Beowulf had to submit to Hygelac and employ his strengths in order to benefit his lord and his lands. Beowulf is richly rewarded, as is Christ.
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How is the Cross presented in the poem? |
Shown to be an important symbol of Christ's gift to humankind-it is adorned with gold and silver as a reward for its services to Christ. (line 77) The dreamer is seeing for himself the validity of Christ's claims of rewarding his faithful servants. The dreamer interprets the telling of the story by the Cross as a gift, and reciprocates by telling others of his dream. |
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How is the audience included in the poem? |
The audience, like the dreamer, is shown the glory of the Cross after its transformation by Christ in reward for its loyal service. They are shown how to attain that same glory by spreading the story of Christ, just as the dreamer was shown. -Strengthening of Christian culture. |
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How does the poet downplay many aspects of the Crucifixion story? |
The parts about Christ's physical pain and weakness are omitted. Instead this is portrayed through the Cross who is "pierced with dark nails". Also excludes Christ's request for a drink that is in all four gospels, as it would imply human frailty and weakness. Interestingly the author of Beowulf makes little attempt to hide Beowulf's frailty when he falters under Grendel's mothers wrath= "the firmest of all foot-warriors fell to the earth". |
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How is Christ portrayed in other contemporary poems in comparison to the portrayal in 'The Dream of the Rood'? |
Poem 'Christ III' by Cynewulf (C. 705-783 CE): "he suffered many things for the love of sinners". More traditional biblical image of Christ was retained in medieval times. This is a more pessimistic view of the Crucifixion in which humans are made to feel guilty for Christ's death. |
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In "The Concept of the Hero in the Early Middle Ages", what does Bernard F. Huppe think the purpose of the poem is? |
Focus on Christ's victory over sin. "composed with a missionary purpose". "The heroic is used to catch the imagination of the warrior, so that he could embrace willingly Christian doctrine". An evangelist appeal- obtain salvation. |
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What is the form and structure of the poem? |
It is written in elegiac form and written in alliterative verse. It uses alliteration as the principal ornamental device to help indicate the underlying metrical structure. |
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What is the Verceilli book? |
Discovered in 1832 by German Dr. Blum. Preserved in the chapter library of the cathedral at Vercelli in northern Italy. The manuscript is parchment and contains 136 folios. Along with 'The Dream of the Rood', 5 other poems are in the book also including 'Elene'. |
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What did the critic A. J Burrow say about the poem? |
In 'An Approach to the Dream of the Rood' (1995) He described it as "one of the first and most successful treatments of the theme of crucifixion? |
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How is the Cross and heroic values used in other poems written during the Anglo-Saxon period? |
The poem 'Elene': Helen the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine. He has a vision of the Cross and under his reign Christianity became the predominant religion in the Roman empire. He sends his mother to find it- warrior queen- heroism brought to a female character, she is obedient like the Cross in the Dream of the Rood. |
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Why was there a revival of Old English Literature during the 16th century? |
Due to different areas of interests: scholarly, law, history and religion. -The Protestant reformation caused English -nationalism. -The renaissance- renewed interest in cultural traditions from the past. -Rise of middle classes -Political agendas- a way of defining and articulating the English identity.
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