Dream of the Rood & Christian poems Essay

daydream of the crucifix is considered to be one of the oldest Christian verse forms which belongs to the Anglo-Saxon literature. Its authorship is still unknown even today but the textbook reveals that it is a very old English poem that talks about the personification of a item maneuver which was made into a cross where messiah Christ was crucified. The presence of the cross in this poem and its definition in the poem triggers elements of paganism and Christianity at the same time. The fact that the cross associates Jesus collapse to its own sacrifice by claiming that together they were nailed and bloody.It somewhat reveals a sense of blasphemy by comparing the paltrys of Christ to that of a talking tree. Analysis of Dream of the Rood Dream of the Rood talks about a dream that goes back to the time when Jesus was crucified to save mankind from sin. In this poem the unknown author describes how the sufferings of Christ can also be felt by the tree where the cross was made upon. With dark nails they drove me through on me those sores are seen, open malice-wounds. I dared not scathe anyone. They mocked us both, we two together. All wet with blood I was, poured out from that Mans side, after ghost he gave up (lines 46-49).The personification of the tree or the cross is somewhat unreassuring as it is trying to share the burden and glory that Christ experienced in His sacrifice. Clearly, the tree is not human therefore, there is no way that it could feel the pain that Christ endured during his crucifixion. The cross could not perhaps share the glory either as it never affected it in a logical sense. It is quite a troubling because of the fact that the narrator aims to convey the message of trying to show its perspective of the crucifixion by means of telling that it experienced the pains and glory too.It somehow seems to show that Christs suffering can be illustrated and elaborated by a mere non-living thing. Also, the idea that the author presented th e tree in a rather pagan-like way as it reveals the talking tree shows that associating Christs sacrifice with a supernatural being is way too blasphemous. It was long sinceI yet remember it that I was hew at holts end, moved from my stem. Strong fiends seized me there,30 worked me for spectacle cursed ones lifted me. . . (28-31). The poem also seemed too uncivilised with the way the poet used words such as sorrows, distressed, wet with blood and wounds.The imagery conjured by the description of the crucifixion reveals a disturbing image of violence. Also, it is noticeable that the poet wishes to emphasize the sacrifice of Christ to the completion that the readers may feel guilt and remorse. It is, of course, a true notion that people must always be reminded of the Lords suffering so they can become grateful and appreciative. However, the overly detailed description somewhat replaces the real purpose of the crucifixion. Conclusion There are many aspects in the poem Dream of the R ood that illustrates disturbing images and ideas.Howevere, it is important to note that this poem is one of the oldest English Christian poems that aims to highlight how Jesus Christ has suffered for our sins. It may be effective in a way that it reminds us again of why we are here for. However, it also important to note that the use of pagan elements such as the tree or the cross which was used for the crucifixion of Christ has some disturbing aspects with regard to illustrating Gods power and sacrifice. Reference Dream of the rood. Retrieved 17 May 2009 from http//faculty. uca. edu/jona/texts/rood. htm