A Discussion of The Ruthwell Cross: The Dream of the Rood Poem- When, Why, and by Whom was the poem written?
As previously discussed, The Dream of the Rood poem carved on the Ruthwell Cross is clearly a Christian reflection of Christ, his journey, and his crucifixion. It has, however, been debated and categorized as both a pagan and Christian poem. Based on the Anglo-Saxon influence in the time written both pre-Christian as well as Christian themes are found. The Ruthwell Cross, upon which part of the poem was carved, was an 18-foot free standing Anglo-Saxon cross said to be a conversion tool of the times. The initial carvings were guesstimated to have been made in the 8th century. There is some debate over whether it was commissioned to be remade in the …show more content…
The Poem, told by the narrator is a reliving of his dream of the life of Christ, detailing His crucifixion and the role of the Cross in His crucifixion. The author narrates his dream broken into three sections. The first is the Cross covered in gems and in the gory of the Cross sees it stained with the blood of Christ. The second tells of the Crucifixion story told from the perspective of the Cross. The final shows a reflection of the vision of the death of Christ and gives praise to God for what he has seen and the hope of eternal life. “The Dream of the Rood,” is carved on the sides of the Ruthwell cross with scenes from the Gospels, lives of saints, images of Jesus healing the blind, and the Annunciation and the story of Egypt. The initial cross was constructed about 665 A.D. destroyed during a protestant revolt, however, the words of the runes were written in the Vercelli and was later reconstructed. The poem is set up describing the dream of the narrator. In the first section, the author is speaking directly to the cross, on which Christ was crucified. The cross that he describes is gold and
As previously discussed, The Dream of the Rood poem carved on the Ruthwell Cross is clearly a Christian reflection of Christ, his journey, and his crucifixion. It has, however, been debated and categorized as both a pagan and Christian poem. Based on the Anglo-Saxon influence in the time written both pre-Christian as well as Christian themes are found. The Ruthwell Cross, upon which part of the poem was carved, was an 18-foot free standing Anglo-Saxon cross said to be a conversion tool of the times. The initial carvings were guesstimated to have been made in the 8th century. There is some debate over whether it was commissioned to be remade in the …show more content…
The Poem, told by the narrator is a reliving of his dream of the life of Christ, detailing His crucifixion and the role of the Cross in His crucifixion. The author narrates his dream broken into three sections. The first is the Cross covered in gems and in the gory of the Cross sees it stained with the blood of Christ. The second tells of the Crucifixion story told from the perspective of the Cross. The final shows a reflection of the vision of the death of Christ and gives praise to God for what he has seen and the hope of eternal life. “The Dream of the Rood,” is carved on the sides of the Ruthwell cross with scenes from the Gospels, lives of saints, images of Jesus healing the blind, and the Annunciation and the story of Egypt. The initial cross was constructed about 665 A.D. destroyed during a protestant revolt, however, the words of the runes were written in the Vercelli and was later reconstructed. The poem is set up describing the dream of the narrator. In the first section, the author is speaking directly to the cross, on which Christ was crucified. The cross that he describes is gold and