in the dream of the rood what is the rood eventually drenched in
blood
title: Dream of the Rood text: Dream of the Rood The Dream of the Rood is one of the Christian poems in the corpus of Old English literature and an example of the genre of dream poetry. Like most Old English poetry, it is written in alliterative verse. "Rood" is from the Old English word "rōd" 'pole', or more specifically 'crucifix'. Preserved in the 10th-century Vercelli Book, the poem may be as old as the 8th-century Ruthwell Cross, and is considered one of the oldest works of Old English literature. The poem is set up with the narrator having a dream. In this dream or vision title: Dream of the Rood text: he is speaking to the Cross on which Jesus was crucified. The poem itself is divided up into three separate sections: the first part (ll. 1–27), the second part (ll. 28–121) and the third part (ll. 122–156). In section one, the narrator has a vision of the Cross. Initially when the dreamer sees the Cross, he notes how it is covered with gems. He is aware of how wretched he is compared to how glorious the tree is. However, he comes to see that amidst the beautiful stones it is stained with blood. In section two, the Cross shares its title: Dream of the Rood text: to God for what he has seen and is filled with hope for eternal life and his desire to once again be near the glorious Cross. There are various, alternative readings of the structure of the poem, given the many components of the poem and the lack of clear divisions. Scholars like Faith H. Patten divide the poem into three parts, based on who is speaking: Introductory Section (lines 1–26), Speech of the Cross (lines 28–121), and Closing Section (lines 122–156). Though the most obvious way to divide the poem, this does not take into account thematic unity or differences title: Dream of the Rood text: circle (lines 122–156). "The Dream of the Rood" survives in the Vercelli Book, so called because the manuscript is now in the Italian city of Vercelli. The Vercelli Book, which can be dated to the 10th century, includes twenty-three homilies interspersed with six religious poems: "The Dream of the Rood", "Andreas", "The Fates of the Apostles", "Soul and Body", "Elene" and a poetic, homiletic fragment. A part of "The Dream of the Rood" can be found on the 8th century Ruthwell Cross, which is an , free standing Anglo-Saxon cross that was perhaps intended as a 'conversion tool'. At each title: Dream of the Rood text: lord's retainer whose most outstanding characteristic is that of unwavering loyalty". The Rood and Christ are one in the portrayal of the Passion—they are both pierced with nails, mocked and tortured. Then, just as with Christ, the Cross is resurrected, and adorned with gold and silver. It is honoured above all trees just as Jesus is honoured above all men. The Cross then charges the visionary to share all that he has seen with others. In section three, the author gives his reflections about this vision. The vision ends, and the man is left with his thoughts. He gives praise