The Dream of the Rood, is a religiously oriented Anglo-Saxon poem written in the late tenth century. This date is inferred as there is no record indicating the author nor the date of composition. The work is divided into separate parts, three to be exact. The first of these being the Dreamer`s reaction to a vision he sees concerning the cross, Rood speaking on the topic of the infamous Crucifixion, and finally the declaration and transition the dreamer searches for in order to receive redemption of the rood. The primary scene opens with a vision the dreamer has, this in turn sets the fundamental basis for the remainder of the poem. The cross is described as being raised, bestowed in fine gemstones and gold, however he notes that there is a …show more content…
Through stating this, he allows the Dreamer to obtain a newfound sense of hope, that there is a chance he can be saved from his faith. Towards the end of the poem, the theme of hope becomes more so prominent through a close following of the Dreamer. “Now is there hope of life for me, that I am permitted to seek the tree of triumph, more often than other men honor it well, alone.” This is a paramount point within the text as it showcases the first time the Dreamer feels a sense of optimism for himself. Afterwards he comes to the conclusion that there is indeed a reason to feel hope. He declares, “And then may it place me where thenceforth I may dwell in glory, fully enjoy bliss with the saints.May the Lord be my friend, who once here on earth suffered on the gallows-tree for man's sins.” This leads to the issue concerning the Dreamer. The background information the cross shares with the reader, has many parallels with that of the Dreamer. The abandoned and dejected feelings that they share are both overcome by the end of the poem. Finally Jesus himself in given the faith of crucification and although this is painful, the hope and redemption are present when he is finally viewed as a hero for this noble
He states, “as I came up along his side. I was sure now I’d at least exceed my best time.” Meanwhile, his opponent began to pick up his pace and sprint to the finish, “but the man with the famous final kick had already begun his move.” This pertains to how we need to approach challenges feeling self-assured even though we might not end up on top every time. All we need to do is focus on our own goals and finding ways to achieve them. These lines also imply that we need to push ourselves until the very end and never give up. The poem concludes with the speaker hearing a spectator say, “Beautiful,” as if something unavoidable was about to happen out of nowhere. This part of the poem is an excellent reminder that you should always expect the unexpected and never count anyone out. This stanza has a determined and admiring tone. We can see the determination when the speaker says, “I was sure now I’d at least exceed my best time” and the admiration when he says, “Beautiful, I heard a spectator say.”
She gets to the point and proves that in our current world we tend to say more than we should, when just a couple of words can do the same. In her writing, it is evident that the little sentences and words are what make the poem overall that perfect dream she wishes she were part of.
In “Hope is the thing with feathers”, hope is heard in troubled times and warms the soul, but isn’t always rational. The poem says hope, “perches in the soul” (2). Hope is described as constant, and as an irrefutable part of us. But the ‘perching’ bird controls us, its ‘claws’ on our heart, and we feel compelled to never give up our dreams. Hope is also, “sweetest-in the Gale” (5). People cling to hope when life is hard, and hope is welcome when all else has failed. Hope comes to people anytime, anywhere. However pleasing hope is, it, “sings the tune without the words” (3). Hope is attractive, and promises much, but there are no words to back up the tune, and is mostly something to keep one’s soul going, not something that will ever amount to anything or deliver on its promises. It is alluring to gamble everything on hope, but in the end, there aren’t any ‘words’, and you’ll always lose. Anyone can be both warmed and deluded by hope.
Throughout the book the author implies that through persevering through adversity, following omens, and overcoming one's fears, everyone has a chance to achieve their dreams.
This poem is related to night and the idea of not giving up when all seems lost. The people of Sighet never lost hope until the end, sometimes they are ever too optimistic, “Every encounter filled us with joy-yes joy: Thank God! You are still alive!” (pg. 35). When Elie thought about giving up, dying, whether it be in the last few months of Buna, on the death march to Gleiwitz, or the trains to Buchenwald, he did not give up because of his father, which motivated him to keep on surviving and not give up. And what if he were dead, as well? I called out to him. No response. I would have screamed if I could have. He was not moving. Suddenly, the evidence overwhelmed me: there was no longer any reason to live, any reason to fight.” Elie without
The Anglo-Saxon poem known as, The Dream of the Rood is the reverse image of the crucifixion. The Dream of the Rood is unique in describing the crucifixion from the vantage point of the Cross, and within the framework of a dream. In comparison, The York Play of the Crucifixion discusses each step in the process of tying Christ to the cross. Both representations of the crucifixion compare and contrast each other.
The speaker begins the poem an ethereal tone masking the violent nature of her subject matter. The poem is set in the Elysian Fields, a paradise where the souls of the heroic and virtuous were sent (cite). Through her use of the words “dreamed”, “sweet women”, “blossoms” and
The Dream of the Rood is a poem that illustrates the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the perspective of the cross. The illustration comes together in a dream. The rood or the cross communicates with the Dreamer, to give him hope in the future return of Christ and eternal glory. Additionally, the rood encourages the Dreamer to share his dream with others and point them to the cross. This poem is meaningful to me because it prompted me to reflect on the cross and what it represents. It is a symbol of God’s love and what He did on the cross, so we could be saved from our sins.
...nsight to address the lack of courage and faith that plagues every human being. “The poem succeeds admirably in registering a mood not merely of disillusionment, but of personal weakness” (Morace 950). Without the faith and courage to face the final judgment, and move on to the afterlife, one will be left to linger in purgatory.
In “Hope is the Thing with Feathers,” the message delivered is that hope is present to any person. Dickinson writes, “And sweetest in the gale is heard,” (5) which displays an image of a bird’s song being heard above the sounds of the storm. This shows how even in the worst situations one can look forward to the future where all this persons problems are resolved. Hope is the most beneficial when it is needed most. Therefore, it is available to anyone no matter who they are or how they live. In this poem, the speaker says, “yet, never, in extremity, / it asked a crumb of me” (11-12). If a person hopes for something, he or she doesn’t need to offer anything in return for what hope has given them. By using a crumb as an example of how hope comes without any pay, it is shown that “hope” does not need even the smallest possible reward for the good that it brings. It is a feeling and therefor, appeals to everyone.
... Christ and for his role in overcoming evil and suffering, and with the idea that the negative effects of suffering can be countered by compassionate love of others.
These three metaphors exemplify beauty, but also an end to nature and life. Death is slowly creeping up to him and taking over his life as realized in this comparison of him to nature. The poem shows the need to seize the moment in life before death. The last couplet talks about the topic of love and the power of it. Love lasts through the struggles in life, and the changes of seasons. Love of life keeps us from realizing that an end will eventually come. “This thou perciev’st, which makes thy love more strong.” Encompasses the idea that although everything comes to an end, love still fuels everything within a person. He realizes everything will come to an end and death is inevitable but the passion is still
The Dream of the Rood is an Anglo-Saxon poem which depicts the crucifixion of Christ. It is heralded as being one of the most significant poems in Old English religious prose, in addition to being one of the most unique pieces of Germanic-Heroism literature [reference]. The poem was written as a means of propagating Anglo-Saxon intolerance towards cowardice, trepidation when faced with the concept of death, and apathy in regards to battle. Within the poem, Christ is portrayed as an ardent, fearless warrior with a combatant disposition to fulfil his destiny as being the saviour of man’s sins, which he embraces with a courageous fervour; “he [Christ] climbed up on the high gallows, brave in the sight of many, as he set out to redeem mankind.”
First, if one looks at the Old English version of the poem he or she will find that The Dream of the Rood is an alliterative poem with the strict rhythmic scheme characteristic of the Anglo-Saxons. Second, the story of Christ’s crucifixion is told in a truly Anglo-Saxon way. Christ is portrayed as a courageous, self-sacrificing warrior who fights against sin and sinful men to the point of death to win salvation for all of mankind, just like an Anglo-Saxon king or warrior would fight to save his kingdom from the enemy. Poems would frequently be written about the stories of such epic heroes.
The poem explains the rood as an instrument of torture and death and is now the dazzling sign of mankind’s redemption. It charges the poet to tell of his vision to all men, so that they too might be redeemed of sin. Most people view the cross on which Jesus was crucified as torture, death, and darkness. However, many also understand that the cross (rood) is a symbolism for the victorious redemption of Christ’s resurrection because of the suffering he endured for the human race. “Wondrous was that victor-tree, and I was stained with sin and wounded with my wickedness. I beheld the cross of glory shining in splendor, graced with hangings and adorned with gold. Worthily had jewels covered over all that