A Reference to Martyrdom in Cynewulf's Ascension Poem ("Christ II," 679a).

An essay exploring the theme of martyrdom in Cynewulf's poem on Christ's Ascension is presented. It notes how the theory about the theme of Ascension in the poem has been formulated by Oliver J. H. Grosz arguing that heanne beam/Stægestigan is in reference to martyrs who, in imitating Christ, gave up everything material. It also mentions how the church is often compared to a ship, indicating its metaphorical function. It concludes that, with these interpretations, martyrdom is appropriate to Cynewulf's thinking.