A Red,Red Rose赏析

Robert Burns, as known as Scotland's favourite son, was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide. He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement. He has become almost a national symbol of all things of Scottish. He wrote many poems during his short life and more than 500 of them are still read and sung now. The Poem, “A Red, Red Rose” is one of the most famous poem that Robert Burns have written which was first published in 1794. In this poem, he expressed his deep love towards his lover Jean Armour.

Beginning with a quatrain containing two similes, Burns compares his love with a springtime blooming rose and then with a sweet melody. Here, “a red, red rose”, a lively imagery, signifies his lover’s full of youthful energy and vitality. “Sweet melody” further emphasizes the harmony, perfect of her body and even her character.

The second and third stanza, with a cracking pace, express the poet’s blazing love. “Till the seas gang dry and the rocks melt with the sun”. Used to liken faithful love, this sentence is too wonderful for words. Ending with the metaphor of the “sands of life”, we are given the image of his love lasting until the seas run dry and the rocks melt with the sun,

wonderfully poetic images. Meanwhile, Burns reminds us of the passage of time and the changes that result. That recalls the first stanza and its image of a red rose, newly sprung in June, which we know from experience will change and wither with time.

The final stanza shows his farewell to his lover again and a promise of return. “I will come again though it was ten thousand mile”. Exaggerated words convey the poet’s infinitely affectionate feelings.