The Crucifixion is one of the most widely known and told stories. Even if a person is not Christian, they have probably heard the story of Jesus’s sacrifice made on the Cross. It has been adapted in many different forms including storybooks, plays, and poetry. ‘The Dream of the Rood’ is one of the earliest poetic adaptations, dating back to somewhere during the eighth century. The book of Matthew from the Bible is one of the four original writings on the Crucifixion story, and often one of the ones which others base their works on. Because of the difference in who is telling the story, what perspective it is told in, and the time period it was written in, ‘The Dream of the Rood’ would have had a more intense and intimate effect on the reader
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These differences give each telling of the Crucifixion a different effect, and ‘The Dream of the Rood’ a more intimate and impactful one than Matthew. The Marcan Priority is a common theory amongst theologians and historians that the book of Mark was the first Gospel written and was, therefore, used as a base for the books of Matthew and Luke. Though it is not confirmed, it is a widely accepted theory and is supported by many scholars (Goodacre 2001, 9). Just like ‘The Dream of the Rood’, the book of Matthew’s author is unknown. Much of the BIble is written by unknown sources, and, though the book of Matthew is attributed to one of Jesus’s disciples, and a tax collector, he is never expressly named anywhere within it. Which also leads readers to believe that the author of the book of Matthew was not ever actually present for the events that he or she writes about (Harrington 1991, 8). In fact, Matthew’s name was not even attributed to this particular writing until the second century, when Papias, the Bishop of Hierapolis said, ‘“Matthew compiled the sayings in the Hebrew language, and everyone translated them as well as he could (Harrington 1991, 3).”’ Because he said this, it lead to the belief that this Gospel was written by Matthew, when it may, in fact, have been someone else. Because of …show more content…
Like most of the Bible, and especially the Gospels, the book of Matthew is told in the same, dry, detached voice. It is not written like either of the books of Corinthians, which were letters sent to Churches in Corinth. It uses no ‘I’ words, nor does it exude any particular feeling. However, through use of vivid imagery and plenty of ‘I’ words, ‘The Dream of the Rood’ gives off a much more relatable and attached vibe. For example, in the book of Matthew, the author does not mention the pain that Jesus endured before being crucified. In the poem, however, the Cross goes into vivid detail about it,
These differences give each telling of the Crucifixion a different effect, and ‘The Dream of the Rood’ a more intimate and impactful one than Matthew. The Marcan Priority is a common theory amongst theologians and historians that the book of Mark was the first Gospel written and was, therefore, used as a base for the books of Matthew and Luke. Though it is not confirmed, it is a widely accepted theory and is supported by many scholars (Goodacre 2001, 9). Just like ‘The Dream of the Rood’, the book of Matthew’s author is unknown. Much of the BIble is written by unknown sources, and, though the book of Matthew is attributed to one of Jesus’s disciples, and a tax collector, he is never expressly named anywhere within it. Which also leads readers to believe that the author of the book of Matthew was not ever actually present for the events that he or she writes about (Harrington 1991, 8). In fact, Matthew’s name was not even attributed to this particular writing until the second century, when Papias, the Bishop of Hierapolis said, ‘“Matthew compiled the sayings in the Hebrew language, and everyone translated them as well as he could (Harrington 1991, 3).”’ Because he said this, it lead to the belief that this Gospel was written by Matthew, when it may, in fact, have been someone else. Because of …show more content…
Like most of the Bible, and especially the Gospels, the book of Matthew is told in the same, dry, detached voice. It is not written like either of the books of Corinthians, which were letters sent to Churches in Corinth. It uses no ‘I’ words, nor does it exude any particular feeling. However, through use of vivid imagery and plenty of ‘I’ words, ‘The Dream of the Rood’ gives off a much more relatable and attached vibe. For example, in the book of Matthew, the author does not mention the pain that Jesus endured before being crucified. In the poem, however, the Cross goes into vivid detail about it,