Test 4: The Dream of the Rood

Question 1

clothing; dress

Answer 1

vesture

Question 2

burial place; tomb

Answer 2

sepulchre

Question 3

chopped or cut

Answer 3

hewn

Question 4

cross

Answer 4

rood

Question 5

the first Roman emperor to be converted to Christianity

Answer 5

Constantine the Great

Question 6

enveloped completely; hidden

Answer 6

enshrouded

Question 7

when the poet pictures himself falling asleep and envisioning a series of allegorical events or people

Answer 7

dream vision or dream allegory

Question 8

enthusiastic; passionate

Answer 8

ardent

Question 9

a major change in structure, tone, or subject in a poem or novel

Answer 9

shift

Question 10

not discouraged by a setback

Answer 10

undismayed

Question 11

radiant; shining brightly

Answer 11

effulgent

Question 12

Roman empress and mother of Constantine the Great

Answer 12

Helena

Question 13

not ashamed or disoncerted

Answer 13

unabashed

Question 14

reverberating

Answer 14

resounding

Question 15

the earliest English dream poem and one of the finest religious poems in the English language

Answer 15

“The Dream of the Rood”

Question 16

“Sublime the tree victorious; while I,

Stained with iniquity, was galled with sins.”

Answer 16

contrast

Question 17

a quote in which transition word signals a shift in what the poet sees

Answer 17

“However, through the gold I could perceive

That wretched ones had battled there of old”

Question 18

what the cross bids the poet do in the final section

Answer 18

“tell this vision unto men”

Question 19

“They mocked us together; then was I

All wet with blood, which streamed from this Man’s side”

Answer 19

a union between the cross and Christ

Question 20

“Lo, then
The Prince of glory, Guardian of heaven
Above all other trees exalted me, As He, almighty God, in sight of men
His mother honored, blessed among women”

Answer 20

a simile comparing the cross and Mary

Question 21

what the poet sees in the opening section of the poem

Answer 21

“a wondrous cross extending up on high,

With light encircled … overlaid with gold”

Question 22

how the poet feels when he sees the cross change

Answer 22

“Then all my spirit was with sorrow stirred”

Question 23

“foes”; “spectacle”; “command me to bear their criminals”; “mine enemies indeed!”

Answer 23

diction expressing conflict between the cross and those carrying out the crucifixion

Question 24

“And darkness hid the body of the King,

With clouds enshrouded its effulgent light”

Answer 24

the imagery after the crucifixion

Question 25

who gazed on the object

Answer 25

angels, holy spirits, men on earth, and all glorious creation