1. The Dream of the Rood a translator’s tale by Molly Gavin

2. The Dream of the Rood About the Project Philosophy + English  Linguistics Integrating Project: Translation — from Old English Hermeneutics — the philosophy of interpretation

3. The Dream of the Rood About the Project Philosophy + English  Linguistics Integrating Project: Translation — from Old English Hermeneutics — the philosophy of interpretation ???

4. Summer 2010

8. The Dream of the Rood About the Project Philosophy + English  My Project ???

9. The Dream of the Rood About the Project Philosophy + English  My Project ??? 1.Develop a theory of meaning — (the essay)

10. The Dream of the Rood About the Project Philosophy + English  My Project ??? 1.Develop a theory of meaning — (the essay) 2. Write the translation — (the Dream of the Rood)

11. The Dream of the Rood About the Project Philosophy + English  My Project ??? 1.Develop a theory of meaning — (the essay) 2. Write the translation — (the Dream of the Rood) 3. Bring the translation to life — (poetic voice, illustration)

12. The Dream of the Rood About the Project Philosophy + English  My Project ??? 1.Develop a theory of meaning — (the essay) 2. Write the translation — (the Dream of the Rood) 3. Bring the translation to life — (poetic voice, illustration)

13. The Dream of the Rood 1. Searching for Meaning and Meaningfulness Nature indications cause and effect Man-made Items 1.purpose 2.significance 3.meaningfulness

14. The Dream of the Rood 1. Searching for Meaning and Meaningfulness Nature indications cause and effect Man-made Items 1.purpose 2.significance 3.meaningfulness

15. The Dream of the Rood 1. Searching for Meaning and Meaningfulness Nature indications cause and effect Man-made Items 1.purpose 2.significance 3.meaningfulness

16. The Dream of the Rood 1. Searching for Meaning and Meaningfulness Nature indications cause and effect Man-made Items 1.purpose 2.significance 3.meaningfulness

17. The Dream of the Rood 1. Searching for Meaning and Meaningfulness Nature indications cause and effect Man-made Items 1.purpose 2.significance 3.meaningfulness

18. The Dream of the Rood 1. Searching for Meaning and Meaningfulness Nature indications cause and effect Man-made Items 1.purpose 2.significance 3.meaningfulness

19. The Dream of the Rood 1. Searching for Meaning and Meaningfulness The Dream of the Rood is... 1.A text (meant to be read; purpose) 1. A crucifixion poem that expresses the unique Anglo- Saxon understanding of Christianity by telling the story from the POV of the cross (significance) 1.A meaningful story with which a reader can grow, exchange, and learn ideas (meaningfulness)

20. The Dream of the Rood 1. Searching for Meaning and Meaningfulness The Dream of the Rood is... 1.A text (meant to be read; purpose) 1. A crucifixion poem that expresses the unique Anglo- Saxon understanding of Christianity by telling the story from the POV of the cross (significance) 1.A meaningful story with which a reader can grow, exchange, and learn ideas (meaningfulness)

21. The Dream of the Rood 1. Searching for Meaning and Meaningfulness The Dream of the Rood is... 1.A text (meant to be read; purpose) 1. A crucifixion poem that expresses the unique Anglo- Saxon understanding of Christianity by telling the story from the POV of the cross (significance) 1.A meaningful story with which a reader can grow, exchange, and learn ideas (meaningfulness) This is my story!

22. The Dream of the Rood 1. Searching for Meaning and Meaningfulness The Dream of the Rood is... 1.A text (meant to be read; purpose) 1. A crucifixion poem that expresses the unique Anglo- Saxon understanding of Christianity by telling the story from the POV of the cross (significance) 1.A meaningful story with which a reader can grow, exchange, and learn ideas (meaningfulness)

23. The Dream of the Rood My Search for Meaningfulness in DOTR:

24. The Dream of the Rood My Search for Meaningfulness in DOTR: role of the cross relationship to objects

25. The Dream of the Rood My Search for Meaningfulness in DOTR: role of the cross relationship to objects conceptualization how the cross participates in the world

26. The Dream of the Rood My Search for Meaningfulness in DOTR: role of the cross relationship to objects conceptualization how the cross participates in the world relationship to words what it means to speak, to tell a story; how words have power

27. The Dream of the Rood 2. Translating the Poem... and... Hwæt, ic swefna cyst / secgan wylle, hwæt mê gemætte / tô midre nihte, sy∂†an reordberend / reste wunedon. †ûhte mê †æt ic gesâwe / syllicre trêow on lyft lædan / lêohte bewunden, bêama beorhtost. Listen! The choicest of visions I wish to tell, which came as a dream in middle-night, after voice-bearers lay at rest. It seemed that I saw a most wondrous tree born aloft, wound round by light, brightest of beams. http://www.lightspill.com/poetry/oe/rood.html

28. The Dream of the Rood 2. Translating the Poem... and... Hwæt, ic swefna cyst / secgan wylle, hwæt mê gemætte / tô midre nihte, sy∂†an reordberend / reste wunedon. †ûhte mê †æt ic gesâwe / syllicre trêow on lyft lædan / lêohte bewunden, bêama beorhtost. Listen! The choicest of visions I wish to tell, which came as a dream in middle-night, after voice-bearers lay at rest. It seemed that I saw a most wondrous tree born aloft, wound round by light, brightest of beams. http://www.lightspill.com/poetry/oe/rood.html

29. The Dream of the Rood 2. Translating the Poem... and... Hwæt, ic swefna cyst / secgan wylle, hwæt mê gemætte / tô midre nihte, sy∂†an reordberend / reste wunedon. †ûhte mê †æt ic gesâwe / syllicre trêow on lyft lædan / lêohte bewunden, bêama beorhtost. Listen! The choicest of visions I wish to tell, which came as a dream in middle-night, after voice-bearers lay at rest. It seemed that I saw a most wondrous tree born aloft, wound round by light, brightest of beams. http://www.lightspill.com/poetry/oe/rood.html lit. ‘what!’ an exclamation, to get attention; ‘Lo!’ ‘Listen!’ ‘So.’

30. The Dream of the Rood 2. Translating the Poem... and... Hwæt, ic swefna cyst / secgan wylle, hwæt mê gemætte / tô midre nihte, sy∂†an reordberend / reste wunedon. †ûhte mê †æt ic gesâwe / syllicre trêow on lyft lædan / lêohte bewunden, bêama beorhtost. Listen! The choicest of visions I wish to tell, which came as a dream in middle-night, after voice-bearers lay at rest. It seemed that I saw a most wondrous tree born aloft, wound round by light, brightest of beams. http://www.lightspill.com/poetry/oe/rood.html lit. ‘what!’ an exclamation, to get attention; ‘Lo!’ ‘Listen!’ ‘So.’ lit. ‘dwelled in rest’ intimation of being wrapped-up, cozy

31. The Dream of the Rood 2. Translating the Poem... and... Hwæt, ic swefna cyst / secgan wylle, hwæt mê gemætte / tô midre nihte, sy∂†an reordberend / reste wunedon. †ûhte mê †æt ic gesâwe / syllicre trêow on lyft lædan / lêohte bewunden, bêama beorhtost. Listen! The choicest of visions I wish to tell, which came as a dream in middle-night, after voice-bearers lay at rest. It seemed that I saw a most wondrous tree born aloft, wound round by light, brightest of beams. http://www.lightspill.com/poetry/oe/rood.html lit. ‘what!’ an exclamation, to get attention; ‘Lo!’ ‘Listen!’ ‘So.’ lit. ‘dwelled in rest’ intimation of being wrapped-up, cozy

32. The Dream of the Rood 2. Translating the Poem... and... Hwæt, ic swefna cyst / secgan wylle, hwæt mê gemætte / tô midre nihte, sy∂†an reordberend / reste wunedon. †ûhte mê †æt ic gesâwe / syllicre trêow on lyft lædan / lêohte bewunden, bêama beorhtost. Listen! The choicest of visions I wish to tell, which came as a dream in middle-night, after voice-bearers lay at rest. It seemed that I saw a most wondrous tree born aloft, wound round by light, brightest of beams. http://www.lightspill.com/poetry/oe/rood.html lit. ‘what!’ an exclamation, to get attention; ‘Lo!’ ‘Listen!’ ‘So.’ lit. ‘dwelled in rest’ intimation of being wrapped-up, cozy lit. ‘brightest’ also, ‘shining-est,’ ‘lustrous-est,’ ‘clearest’ connotations of goodness, light, holiness (as opposed to evil)

33. The Dream of the Rood 3. Finding Poetic Voice... Hwæt, ic swefna cyst / secgan wylle, hwæt mê gemætte / tô midre nihte, sy∂†an reordberend / reste wunedon. †ûhte mê †æt ic gesâwe / syllicre trêow on lyft lædan / lêohte bewunden, bêama beorhtost. Listen! The choicest of visions I wish to tell, which came as a dream in middle-night, after voice-bearers lay at rest. It seemed that I saw a most wondrous tree born aloft, wound round by light, brightest of beams. http://www.lightspill.com/poetry/oe/rood.html Alright! Listen, I want to tell the best dream, that came to me at midnight, while men, speech-bearers, were tangled up in sleep. It seemed to me that I saw the most wonderful tree extended into the air, enveloped in light, the brightest tree.

34. The Dream of the Rood... and Illustrating the Poem Alright! Listen, I want to tell the best dream, that came to me at midnight, while men, speech-bearers, were tangled up in sleep. It seemed to me that I saw the most wonderful tree extended into the air, enveloped in light, the brightest tree.

35. The Dream of the Rood All that tree-vision was covered in gold; and gems stood beautiful to the reaches of the Earth, of which there were five up on the crossbeam... I saw the glorious tree honored with adornments, shining with joys, adorned with gold; and gems nobly had covered that tree of the forest.

36. The Dream of the Rood All that tree-vision was covered in gold; and gems stood beautiful to the reaches of the Earth, of which there were five up on the crossbeam... I saw the glorious tree honored with adornments, shining with joys, adorned with gold; and gems nobly had covered that tree of the forest. lit. ‘beacon’ recurring imagery

37. The Dream of the Rood All that tree-vision was covered in gold; and gems stood beautiful to the reaches of the Earth, of which there were five up on the crossbeam... I saw the glorious tree honored with adornments, shining with joys, adorned with gold; and gems nobly had covered that tree of the forest. lit. ‘beacon’ recurring imagery

38. The Dream of the Rood Yet through all the gold I came to understand the ancient struggle of wretches, as it first began to bleed on its right side... I saw that bright vision change garment and color: at times it was soaked in wetness, drenched with the flow of blood; at times adorned with treasure... I watched the Savior’s tree.. until I heard it speak:

39. The Dream of the Rood Yet through all the gold I came to understand the ancient struggle of wretches, as it first began to bleed on its right side... I saw that bright vision change garment and color: at times it was soaked in wetness, drenched with the flow of blood; at times adorned with treasure... I watched the Savior’s tree.. until I heard it speak:

40. The Dream of the Rood “I stood on that hill and suffered many cruel twists of fate:...Darkness had covered the Lord’s corpse with mists, his shining radiance; a shadow went forth, dark below the clouds... Then the men abandoned me, to stand there, steeped with blood; I was all wounded with arrows.”

43. The Dream of the Rood Molly Gavin, ’12 View this project online at: http://sites.google.com/sites/letterbymgavin/ Sources Content Glenn, Jonathan. Trans. “The Dream of the Rood. 2006.http://www.lightspill.com/poetry/oe/rood.htmlhttp://www.lightspill.com/poetry/oe/rood.html Heidegger, Martin. “The Origin of the Work of Art. 1 st ed.” The Heidegger Reader.. Ong, Walter J. Orality and Literacy. New York: Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1982. Print. Gadamer, Hans-Georg. Truth and Method. 2 nd ed. revised. Trans. Joel Weinsheimer and Donald G. Marshall. New York: Continuum, 2004. Print. Paz, Octavio. “Tranlsation: Literature and Letters.” Trans. Irene del Corral. Theories of Translation. Ed. Rainer Schulte and John Buguenet. pp. 152-162. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1992. Print. Ramply, Matthew. “Creativity.” British Journal of Aesthetics, Vol. 38; no. 3. 1998. Images Breakthrough Santa Fe: Photographer: Karen Ye Oasis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oasis_in_Libya.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oasis_in_Libya.jpg Bench: http://www.yardenvy.com/garden-bench.asp http://www.yardenvy.com/garden-bench.asp Artist’s Bench: Artist: Pablo Reinoso http://42concepts.com/design/spaghetti-bench http://42concepts.com/design/spaghetti-bench Codex: http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-4566477496 http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-4566477496 Crucifixion: http://www.allmercifulsavior.com/Liturgy/Culture1.html http://www.allmercifulsavior.com/Liturgy/Culture1.html Vercelli Book: http://people.umass.edu/eng2/texts/Rood.html http://people.umass.edu/eng2/texts/Rood.html All original illustrations in this presentation are my own.