I Believe The Dream Of The Rood

I believe the dream of the rood is a poem because of how eloquently it illustrates and describes the culture clash between the Pagan and Christian culture. The rood is actually a cross, the cross on which Jesus was crucified. The author recalls a vision that he had during a dream in the middle of the night where he saw a tree surrounded by a halo of light. The tree he speaks of in the poem is actually the cross. This refers to the Pagan culture in a way because the Pagan culture is a nature worshiping religion and the cross was referred to as the victory tree, so that is one example of the culture clash between Christianity and Paganism. The eminence of the Pagan culture is most clearly demonstrated by the animistic characteristics of the rood. …show more content…
The author states that Christ could have easily “felled all the enemies” but instead he willingly “ascended on the high gallows brave in the sight of man when he wanted to ransom mankind.” so what he is saying that Christ could have easily beaten all of the enemies, but chose his own death so that he could save mankind. The reason that he chose this is because of his great love for humanity, and this action proves himself a heroic being, whom of which is determined to carry out Gods plan. The rood, like a burial mound, symbolizes Christ triumph. Throughout the poem I noticed many suggestions about a lord/thane relationship between the rood and Christ it is softly suggested when the dreamer noticed the rood bleeding on the right side as did Christ. Which is implying the inseparable connection between lord and thane. This is later reinforced when both are depicted in battle together and the rood obediently follows Christ's wishes. The actual act of the nails piercing Christ and fastening him to the rood also refers to the unbreakable loyalty of a thane to his