The Call to Christ Presented in “The Dream of the Rood”
The writer of “The Dream of the Rood” tells the story of the crucifixion of Christ in such a way that begs action on the part of the reader, leading me to believe that it was written for more than the purpose of self-expression. The personification of the rood/cross allows it to be portrayed as a character that is like a friend or guiding figure for the persona of the poem. As the rood tells the story of the crucifixion it uses emotional language and tells its own story of redemption from being a mere tree, to a cross smothered in blood, to eventually one being adorned with treasures after the death of Christ. After hearing this story, the persona is deeply moved and then shares their own message of redemption with the reader. They detail their own sorrows in being isolated/exiled from their society, and then share their journey to finding hope and joy through the promise of heaven that resulted from the death of Christ.
Not only does the writer emphasize the theme of redemption, and how the two characters of the poem found true joy because of the promises that were fulfilled for them in the death of Christ, but they also convey the idea that this message of redemption should be continually shared. The rood was redeemed, and then shared its story with the persona. The persona was redeemed, and then shared their story with the reader. Naturally, if the pattern were to continue, the reader would find redemption through the crucifixion of Christ, and then share that story with someone else. This makes me believe that this poem was written to share with pagans the redemption that they can find through Christ, and also inspire them to continue the pattern and share their stories with other pagans, for the purpose of converting as many pagans as possible.
Within the religious community, this same kind of message is commonly spread through testimonies. One person shares their story of how they were saved by Christ to inspire others to first follow Christ, and then share their stories as well. The prospect of hope is what allows this way of “marketing” to be so successful, both now, and at the time “The Dream of the Rood” was written. Human nature has not changed, and people are still willing to change their entire lifestyles simply based on the hope that there is something better. In my opinion, the message of redemption is why “The Dream of the Rood” has stood the test of so much time, because the hope that it suggests to its readers has remained relevant no matter the changes the world has experienced. The call to Christ presented in this poem allows it to seemingly outlast time.
