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The Dream of the Rood : Key info

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The Dream of the Rood is a notable literary work by Anonymous. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of The Dream of the Rood.

Key info

The Dream of the Rood Key Facts

  • Title: The Dream of the Rood
  • [In this poem, the narrator is having a dream. In this dream or vision he is speaking to the Cross on which Jesus was crucified.]
  • Author: Anonymous
  • Manuscript Source: The poem survives in the Vercelli Book, which is dated to the tenth century
  • Verse Form: Alliterative Verse
  • Genre: Christian Poem/Dream Poetry

 

“Rood” originated from the Old English word, “rōd” meaning pole. It is a reference to the “crucifix” on which Christ accepted his glorious death.