Because the "Dream of the Rood" is a religious text, most scholars have not examined the role work and labor may play in the poem. But forms of labor are represented in the "Dream of the Rood" (see LINK 2) and other types of work may be hinted at. In addition, the actual writing of the poem was a form of work (see LINK 3).
Most scholars think the "Dream of the Rood" is associated with a monastery. The manuscript was certainly copied in a monastic scriptorium, and the level of theological learning associated with the poem suggests that the poet was either a monk or cleric.
Begin this exercise by looking at the Monastery and Monastic Life modules for information about the sorts of work monks might do in the monastery. Make a list of these labors. Remember that not all (and perhaps not the most important) monastic labors were physical.
After making your list of monastic labors, investigate one or two in greater detail using the Dictionary of the Middle Ages or the New Catholic Encyclopedia.
For your written work for this assignment, turn in your list along with a one-page explanation of the ways monastic labors might be connected to the "Dream of the Rood".
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