Similarities Between Beowulf And The Dream Of The Rood

The influence of religion on culture often manifests itself in the literature of the time period. In The Dream of the Rood, Christian tradition is synthesized with Anglo-Saxon culture. Against a backdrop of cultural practice, The Dream of the Rood recounts the story of the crucifixion by taking into account the time-honored qualities and values of the Anglo-Saxon people. Taking place within the context of a dream and told from the perspective of the Cross, The Dream of the Rood re-configures and presents Christ as a typical Anglo-Saxon hero. Christ, adopting elements of the hero Beowulf, is shown to be a warrior for his people, manifesting the virtue of bravery and waging war against sin and death. In like manner, the character of the

Foremost, this culture of exchange is reflected in the Cross’s service and loyalty to the “lord of mankind” (Dream of the Rood, 33). Emulating Beowulf, who circumvents Hrothgar’s inability to defeat Grendel as an act of God, since “God can easily halt these raids and harrowing attacks,” the Cross sees himself as an instrument at Christ’s right hand in the struggle for salvation (Beowulf, 478-479). The Cross, “cast by eternal decree,” supports his Lord in his voluntary witness to the passion and death of Christ (Dream of the Rood, 10). As Christ’s thane, he honors and defends his Lord in imitation of Beowulf, who “acknowledged [Hrothgar] with oaths of allegiance” and fought to uphold King Hrothgar’s honor which had been severely diminished by his own failure to protect his people from Grendel (Beowulf, 472). In obedience to the will of his sovereign, the Cross silently honors and aids Christ in the work of redemption, even though both Christ and the Cross had the upper hand: “I did not dare act against the Lord’s word bow down or fall to pieces when I felt the surface of the earth trembling. Although I might have destroyed the foes, I stood in place” (Dream of the Rood, 35-38). Like Wiglaf, who prepares to help Beowulf in his battle against the dragon, since “every man should act, be at hand when needed,” the Cross dutifully serves as a faithful attendant to Christ (Beowulf, 2708-9). This is exemplified in the paradox of the Cross’s role: the Cross acts as the loyal servant of Christ, yet in pursuance of obedience to his Lord, has to become his very executioner. Thus, the Cross upholds the plan of redemption by submitting himself to the service of his Lord and offering him, symbolically and literally, his own self – “the tree of our Savior” (Dream of the Rood,