Life Beyond Life

The Dream of the Rood opens up with the dreamer speaking of  a cross that encapsulates beauty beyond measure. However, the smallest of stains takes away all of its beauty . This stain that would be seen as a mere blood stain to non-Christians is the epitome of what Jesus has done, and continues to do for us daily . We are then transitioned into the Rood's telling of his experience of  the crucifixion of Jesus . One's initial reaction is to question how an inanimate object could present itself with life. However, the cross did not present itself with life, but was given life when Jesus Christ was chosen to bare it . This is essentially when Christ and the cross become one. Each ailment that Christ falters, so does the cross . The rood says, "they pierced me through with dark some nails; on me the scars are manifest, the open, woeful wounds. Yet dare I not work any harm to any one of them . They mocked us together. All bedewed with blood was I ..." As the nails pierced Jesus's hands they pierced the rood , as they mocked him ;they therefore mocked his symbol, and as his blood drained from his body ,the blood drained into the cross sealing his mercy that he placed on us . Christ and the cross are our everlasting symbols of glory .

The Old Rugged Cross

“The Dream of the Rood” is a narrative that tells the story of the crucifixion from an extremely different perspective. In this narrative, the crucifixion of Jesus is described from the cross’s point of view. This tree was used to crucify many criminals before, but no crucifixion was as special as the Savior’s. The narrative showed how extraordinary and significant such an old, rugged cross can be. It used personification to make the cross come alive and really express human-like characteristics. It also made the death of Jesus more tangible because it shared the story in a way that made one feel like he or she was really there to share the pain and agony Jesus endured. 

The Dream of the Rood: FOR CHRISTIANS ONLY?

The Dream of the Rood is an Old English, powerhouse text full of emotion that hits at the heart of Christianity in its unique retelling of the Gospel crucifixion story. Told from the perspective of the Rood-most commonly understood as the cross; through the use of personification, the story of the death of Jesus Christ takes on new nuances of meaning. From the personified Rood's depiction of Christ as a Young Hero who bravely faces a sacrificial death, to that of the Rood as a simple tree fashioned for sacrifice of the King of Kings who later becomes glorified as a symbol of victory, we see a text rich in spiritual meaning. It is not difficult as a Christian to be moved by this text, however some could argue whether The Dream of the Rood has universal appeal to those who may not ascribe to the Christian faith. Like most religious texts, the element of faith is a powerful tool needed to fully appreciate the spiritual nuances of meaning being conveyed in the text. As is the case with the reading of any literature, the reader brings a complex mix of belief systems that add layers to the interpretation of the work being read. The Story of the Rood is best read from the Christian perspective, as it reads not only as a notable literary text, but as a heartfelt reminder of a Saviour who's death still has far reaching implications even to this day.

Dream of the Rood: An analysis

When reading Dream of the Rood, I was instantly drawn to the beautiful imagery the words invoked. The author really had a talent for sensing the possibilities of emotions from an inanimate object. This poem seems to be written during a time when praising God was the only kind of literature there was. Not necessarily because that's all these authors could write, but because that's all they decided was worthy of being written. A contextual analysis of this poem reveals that the author felt as if he needed to be more grateful for the suffering that he enjoyed his life because his suffering was nothing compared to even the tree that was used to put Christ today. This also goes with a historical analysis for the author of this poem is quite unknown and would've probably been a monk. A monk would not have wanted his name on it but rather have wanted his words to live on and give credit only to God.

the dream of the Rood response poem

The dream of the Rood was very touching and if I was the tree responding to this story, I would have responded by a poem. So once I read this only words for a poem came to my mind.

I rather be carried

By the one who carried my sins

I’d rather be bruised

By the side of my love

I’d rather be nailed

By the side of the one who made me

I’d rather be hated

For someone as kind as he

I’d rather be standing

By the one who gave me life

I’d rather be holding

The one who needs me the most

I’d rather be crying

With the one who loves me

Instead of doing it all alone

By someone who hates me

~ by Alyce Ann Hendricks ~

The Dream of the Rood

"The Dream of the Rood" was depicted as a tree that was known for crucifying common criminals, now held the Savior of all. As I was reading the poem, the tree  dared not to bow down or break while holding the Creator. "The Dream of the Rood" tells how it encounters the same experience as Christ went through. 

As I reflected on the poem, I viewed myself as the tree being carried on someone's shoulder while they are taking their final walk. They stick needles in me, as I hold up the Creator while He is taking his last breath. "The Dream of the Rood" sets a tone to where you can feel like you're there watching everything that's happening. 

"The Dream of the Rood" took a different perspective to how you see crucifixion. When I would picture Christ dying, I would see it from the audience view. However, when the author paints the picture as the tree, it made me feel as I was the one feeling the pain. 

Ashley W

From the Forest to Calvary

Even though it has not been regarded as a widely known biblical character, wood has arguably been one of the most indirectly intricate parts of the bible stories we grew up on as children. It was the foundation of one of the world largest ships in the days of Noah. Also, it was caught on fire but refused to burn, when it spoke to Moses. However there is one piece of wood that unanimously stands out from the rest. This wood was the material crafted to make the cross of Jesus Christ. In the story The Dream of the Rood by Charles W. Kennedy, it brings life to that piece of wood that carried Jesus. It gives a depicting view of what it must have been like to experience the suffering of our Lord and Savior. As I was reading this masterful story, I began to see vast similarities between Christians and the Cross.

                When we look at the story of Christ and his crucifixion, we can deduce that criminals getting crucified was a common practice, just from the fact that Jesus was accompanied to his left and right. So trees were used to getting cut down, formed into a cross shape, being carried, and placed in front of a many angry hecklers. In this narrative, the wood that was to hold up Jesus felt different. It speaks as if it was carrying gold and jewels. When I read this story it brought realization to the fact that, that tree was selected to serve a greater purpose then just sitting in a forest. However, that tree would have never been able to achieve that purpose without Jesus Christ. Do you see the similarity now? It is impossible for a Christian to achieve his full purpose without Jesus Christ.

Going on with the rest of the narrative, the tree which was once before just a piece a wood in the forest, is now the cross that would lift this innocent man before the same people he was dying to save. The bible is very descriptive of Jesus’ death. It tells that he had a crown of thorns, nails in His hands and feet, and not to mention that He was stabbed in the side. All this blood flowing from Jesus, it was impossible for the cross not to be covered in his blood. Ironically enough, how the cross was literally covered by his blood, as Christians we are also figuratively covered by his blood. Jesus dying for us and even shedding an ounce of blood is the only reason we have the opportunity to be saved.

When reading this narrative and doing my research, I was not able to find any information about the body structure of Jesus. However, by critically analyzing this plot, I can imagine that if we gave the cross a personality it would say that carrying Jesus on Calvary was a physically daunting task. Having to hold up our lifeless savior without falling over must have been difficult. Similarly, any Christian can testify that it can be daunting to carry the name of being a Christian. It is not as physically exhausting, but it definitely can be a challenge. There are unsaid expectations and unfair critiques. Nevertheless, just as the cross was able to keep its resolve and hold up our Lord as died for our sins, it is the Christian’s duty to keep their resolve through the various pressures. The Dream of the Rood does an excellent Job of offering a different perspective of what took place that day. Through reading this is offers so much insight and a plethora of perspectives. As a critique it was my duty to dig out everything this text was offering.  

The Lion and the Lamb

In the Dream of the Rood, I instantly noticed the contrast as the crucifixion depicted in the Bible. In the poem, It portrays Jesus as a war general, the “King of Kings” and the crucifixion as a battle. It talks as if everyone supported Christ and does not address the pain, suffering and torment that Christ endured.  This depiction of Christ was what the Romans were expecting of Christ when He would come to Earth, as a man that would come with all his glory, not as a humble man who ministered to sinners. In todays society it is also thought by some that Jesus will return as this Lamb of God, when the Bible is clear that He will return as a Lion, as the “King of Kings" as seen in Revelations 5:5-6.  Christ is both the Lamb, and the Lion. The poem illustrated the latter aspect of Christ as the cross saw it.

-Mitchel Daniel

The Beauty in the Rood

The Dream of the Rood caused me to reflect on the depth that is presented by the crosses beauty. As I read through this work I began to understand that the initial beauty presented by the cross was rooted far deeper than what could be seen externally. The onlooker in the poem states, "I saw that beacon swiftly change in hangings and in hue; whiles was it all bedewed with moisture, with flowing blood befouled; and whiles adorned with treasure." As the onlooker gazes upon the cross he looks past its exterior and is taken on a journey that reveals the reason behind the embellishment it dons. As the cross unfolds its account of the crucifixion ,one begins to understand why the cross has been rewarded with such beauty. The cross has parelleled Jesus experience of being crucified. He has shared in bearing the weight that sin has rested on Christ's shoulders and he has felt the hostility held by Christ's enemies. Now both Christ and the cross stand as victors of this tradgedy. Christ risen again as Lord of heaven  and Conquerer of sin and the cross eternally endowed in gold and fine jewels while bearing the title of  The Beloved Rood of Christ the Hero. The beauty and notoriety now given this cross, is the reward of one triumphant through a most gruesome ordeal that now brings about hope and peace to all that witness its legacy.

Chante Anderson

The Dream Of the Rood

The Dream of the rood.