Dream of the Rood Essay

In the poetry The Dream of the Rood, many a nonher(prenominal) repeats betwixt a seemingly inanimate object directly correlates with the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Although, Christ is workforcetioned in the poem he is never the speaker, rather the Rood is personified and is the central speaker and theme of the poem. The poem begins with the escapists history of what he experienced as he saw the rood-tree gloriously graced then discharge as the tree diagram spoke directly to the dreamer.Like Christ has done in biblical stories, the tree speaks him in a dream, depicting the first parallel of the Rood and Christ. The rood orders of how soldiers were forced to carry him on their shoulders and set him up on a mountain, save as Christ was forced to do onward his crucifixion. The rood continues to display his bravery as he stands steadfast even though the earth was trembling, for he dare not act against the Lords word. This depiction of bravery in the rood is to par allel the bravery Jesus showed and his experience as there was an earthquake during his crucifixion.He expresses how he was pierced just as Christ was pierced, and how he was mocked just as Christ was mocked by onlookers. The cross seems to physically consume as it raised up a mighty king, the heavens lord I dared not bow in homage. This scene represents all the suffering that Christ endured, yet his bravery prevailed. The rood continues his narration as he illustrates his and Christs death Finally men brought axes to fell us to earth. That was a frightful destiny They buried us in a deep pit. Although in the biblical account of Christs crucifixion the cross was not buried, the author choose to show a confederation between Christ and cross by showing they both perished that day.In the same likeness as Christ, the rood is resurrected and ornament by friends who learned about him, just as Christ was adorned afterwards his resurrection. The rood announces to the dreamer that he must(prenominal) tell others of his triumph so that far and wide men worship me everywhere on earth, and all creation pray to this sign. This metaphor shows the correlation between the rood and Christ, and the reason for which Christ endured all the suffering, so that all those who worship him shall have everlasting spirit. The rood states On me the son of God suffered a time therefore I now tower in eminence under heaven, and I may heal any of those in awe of me. The rood explains that he is adorned above all other trees, just as Christ was after his resurrection.He continues to tell the dreamer that he must let all know about Christ and use the rood as a tool to explain his second coming and mankinds salvation. Although no biblical stories tell of Christ coming to one in a dream, this was to represent Gods plan in sending his Son to tell of Gods plan and their salvation through his crucifixion and resurrection. This caprice is clearly displayed when the rood professes And on t his earth each soul that longs to exist with its savior forevermore must seek His kingdom through that cross. As the dialogue of the poem switches back to the dreamer, he states that he was renew with hope and joy as he prayed to that tree. Again another depiction of a parallel between Christ and the rood, instead of being describe as a rood or crucifix, its described as a tree, something unlikely for one to worship. Perhaps the tree is to symbolize Christ, as the tree of life who should be worshiped and adorned with gold and gemstones just as the tree gleamed at the opening of the poem.