Final answer:
Caedmon is ironically compared to an ox in Bede's account; this not only symbolizes Christ's sacrifice but also reflects Caedmon's past as a herdsman, emphasizing his divine transformation from a simple laborer to a celebrated Christian poet.
Step-by-step explanation:
Indeed, at the end of Bede's selection about Caedmon, there is an irony present in the way Caedmon is compared to something related to his previous secular occupation. Caedmon, who was initially a herdsman and reportedly illiterate, experienced a divine calling in a dream which led him to become a renowned poet of sacred Christian hymns. Ironically, Bede compares Caedmon to an ox, which is both a symbol for Christ's sacrifice (according to the evangelists' iconography) and a nod to Caedmon's former life working with animals. This comparison underscores the powerful transformation of Caedmon from a simple herdsman into a gifted and divine poet, highlighting the ways in which God can elevate and transform even the humblest of His followers to serve greater purposes.