“A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns

1. my Luve is like a red, red rose
2. That’s newly sprung in June;
3. my Luve is like the melody
4. That’s sweetly played in tune.
5. So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
6. So deep in luve am I;
7. And I will luve thee still, my dear,
8. Till a’ the seas gang dry.
9. Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
10. And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;
11. I will love thee still, my dear,
12. While the sands o’ life shall run.
13. And fare thee weel, my only luve!
14. And fare thee weel awhile!
15. And I will come again, my luve,
16. Though it were ten thousand mile.

Introduction

Published in 1794, “A Red, Red Rose” is a romantic poem of a celebrated Scottish poet, Robert Burns,  who is widely regarded as one of the greatest literary figures of the 18th century and a pioneer of the Romantic movement in poetry. Despite relatively short length of the poem, “A Red, Red Rose” shows the use of rich imagery, emotive language, and timeless themes of love and devotion. That is why it has captured the minds of its readers and listeners for over two centuries, cementing its place as one of Burns’ most popular and enduring works. Besides, it has also inspired adaptations, translations, and musical compositions across the globe.

Annotations of “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns

“A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns is a romantic poem about the speaker’s love for his beloved. Here are the annotations with reference and line numbers as given:

1. “my Luve is like a red, red rose”: The speaker compares his love to a “red, red rose,” which is a metaphor for the beauty and freshness of his beloved’s love. (Line 1)
2. “That’s newly sprung in June”: The speaker further emphasizes the freshness and newness of his love by comparing it to a rose that has just bloomed in June. (Line 2)
3. “my Luve is like the melody”: The speaker uses a simile to compare his love to a sweet melody, suggesting that his love brings him joy and happiness. (Line 3)
4. “That’s sweetly played in tune”: The speaker continues the comparison of his love to a melody by describing it as being sweetly played in tune, which implies that his love is harmonious and in sync with his beloved’s. (Line 4)
5. “So fair art thou, my bonnie lass”: The speaker compliments his beloved’s beauty by using the Scottish term “bonnie lass” and describing her as “fair.” (Line 5)
6. “So deep in luve am I”: The speaker emphasizes the depth of his love by using the Scottish dialect word “luve” instead of “love.” (Line 6)
7. “And I will luve thee still, my dear”: The speaker declares his intention to love his beloved forever, using the Scottish dialect word “luve” again. (Line 7)
8. “Till a’ the seas gang dry”: The speaker uses hyperbole to emphasize the eternal nature of his love, suggesting that it will last until the seas dry up. (Line 8)
9. “Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear”: The speaker repeats the hyperbolic statement about the seas to emphasize the longevity of his love. (Line 9)
10. “And the rocks melt wi’ the sun”: The speaker continues to use hyperbole to suggest that his love will last even longer than the existence of rocks, which will melt with the sun. (Line 10)
11. “I will love thee still, my dear”: The speaker repeats his declaration of eternal love for his beloved. (Line 11)
12. “While the sands o’ life shall run”: The speaker uses a metaphor to suggest that his love will last as long as the sands of life continue to flow, which is until death. (Line 12)
13. “And fare thee weel, my only luve!”: The speaker bids farewell to his beloved using a Scottish dialect word “weel” instead of “well.” He also refers to his beloved as his “only luve,” suggesting that she is the only one for him. (Line 13)
14. “And fare thee weel awhile!”: The speaker bids his beloved farewell for a little while, suggesting that they will be reunited later. (Line 14)
15. “And I will come again, my luve”: The speaker promises to return to his beloved, using the Scottish dialect word “luve” again. (Line 15)
16. “Though it were ten thousand mile”: The speaker uses hyperbole to suggest that he would travel even ten thousand miles to be with his beloved again, emphasizing the strength of his love. (Line 16)

Literary Devices in “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns

Literary Device	Verse	Identification, Meanings, and Explanations
Allusion	“While the sands o’ life shall run.” (line 12)	Referring to the hourglass, which symbolizes the finite nature of life.
Anaphora	“And fare thee weel” (lines 13-14)	The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the sense of farewell and departure.
Enjambment	“my Luve is like a red, red rose / That’s newly sprung in June; / (lines 1-2)	The thought continues from one line to the next without pause, creating a sense of flow and continuity.
Hyperbole	“Till a’ the seas gang dry.” (line 8)	The speaker exaggerates the length of time he will love his partner, implying that his love will never die.
Imagery	“My Luve is like a red, red rose” (line 1)	The use of a simile creates a vivid image in the reader’s mind, emphasizing the beauty and purity of the speaker’s love.
Metaphor	“And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;” (line 10)	The speaker uses the melting of rocks as a metaphor for the impossibility of their love ever ending.
Oxymoron	“fare thee weel” (line 14)	The phrase is an oxymoron because “farewell” is a formal parting greeting, while “weel” is a colloquial Scottish term meaning “well.”
Personification	“Till a’ the seas gang dry” (line 8)	The seas are given human qualities and abilities, emphasizing the depth and longevity of the speaker’s love.
Repetition	“And I will luve thee still, my dear,” (line 7)	The repetition of “my dear” in the poem emphasizes the speaker’s affection for his partner.
Simile	“my Luve is like the melody” (line 3)	The use of “like” creates a comparison between the speaker’s love and a beautiful melody, emphasizing its sweetness and purity.
Symbolism	“red, red rose” (line 1)	The rose symbolizes love, passion, and beauty, emphasizing the depth and intensity of the speaker’s feelings.
Synecdoche	“While the sands o’ life shall run” (line 12)	The use of “sands” to refer to time creates a synecdoche, emphasizing the finite nature of life.

Sound and Poetic Devices in “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns

Device	Examples	Meanings and Functions
Alliteration	my Luve is like a red, red rose	It creates a musical effect by repeating the /r/ and /l/ sound, emphasizing the freshness and vitality of the image.
Assonance	sweetly played in tune	It repeats the /i/ sound, adding to the musicality of the poem and conveying the harmonious nature of the speaker’s love.
Consonance	Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear	It repeats the /s/ and /d/ sounds, adding to the musicality of the poem and emphasizing the endurance of the speaker’s love.
End Rhyme	tune/June, dry/sky, and sun/run	Provides a sense of closure and structure to each stanza, as well as creating a musical effect that contributes to the poem’s overall mood and tone.
Rhyme Scheme	ABCB	Provides a structure and form to the poem, while also contributing to the musicality and rhythm of the verses.
Diction	The use of Scottish dialect, archaic language, and poetic language (“Luve,” “gang,” “weel,” “fare,” etc.)	It reates a unique and distinctive tone that is both romantic and nostalgic, emphasizing the speaker’s deep affection and emotional connection to the subject of the poem.
Verse Type	Quatrain, with alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter	It creates a musical rhythm that mimics the natural ebb and flow of spoken language, while also providing structure and form to the poem.
Stanza Type	Four quatrains, with a repeating refrain in the last two lines of each stanza	It provides a sense of repetition and continuity throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker’s unwavering love and commitment to the subject.
Poem Type	A lyric poem, expressing the speaker’s personal emotions and feelings towards their beloved	It conveys the intensity and depth of the speaker’s love, while also emphasizing the universality of human emotions and experiences.
Tone	Romantic, nostalgic, and deeply emotional	It conveys the speaker’s intense love and devotion, as well as the longing for the subject of the poem. The nostalgic tone also emphasizes the fleeting nature of human emotions and experiences.

Themes in “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns

1. Long Distance Love: Robert Burns’s” “A Red, Red Rose” portrays the theme of love across great physical distances. The speaker promises his beloved that he will return to her, even if it means traveling “ten thousand mile.” This argument emphasizes the power of love to overcome distance and social restrictions. The poem also highlights the idea that true love can endure despite physical barriers. The speaker’s unwavering commitment to his beloved despite the distance emphasizes the strength of their relationship. (Lines 15-16)
2. Transience: The theme of transience is evident in the poem, “A Red, Red Rose” by Burns as the speaker acknowledges the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of change. He promises his beloved while “the sands o’ life shall run,” he will continue loving her. This commitment on his part emphasizes the transience of life and suggests that love is a precious and fleeting thing that should be cherished while it lasts. This is how the poem highlights the idea that time is fleeting and that one should make the most of the time they have. (Line 12)
3. Immortality: The theme of immortality is present in the poem in the shape of love. The speaker, who happens to be the poet himself, suggests that his love will continue even after death. He compares his love to a melody that is “sweetly played in tune,” implying that it will endure beyond his lifetime. This emphasizes the idea that love can be a source of comfort and solace even in the face of death. This is how the poem highlights the power of love to transcend death and the idea that love is eternal. (Line 4)
4. Nature: The poem “ A Red, Red Rose” by Burns also touches upon the theme of nature as the speaker compares his beloved to a “red, red rose” that is newly sprung in June. This emphasizes the beauty of nature and the connection between love and the natural world. The poem suggests that love is a natural and essential part of life, much like the changing of the seasons because the beauty of both natural things or phenomena are similar. The speaker’s comparison of his beloved to a rose also emphasizes the fleeting nature of love, as roses bloom for a short time before withering away. (Lines 1-2)

Literary Theories and “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns

1. Formalism: Formalism literary theory emphasizes the formal elements of a literary work, such as its structure, language, and style. In the case of Robert Burns’ poem “A Red, Red Rose,” the consistent rhyme scheme (AABB) and meter (iambic tetrameter) create a sense of harmony and balance throughout the poem, reflecting the speaker’s feelings of love. The poem’s structure is also carefully crafted, with each stanza consisting of two quatrains that are thematically linked. The repetition of certain phrases, such as “O my Luve’s like a red, red rose,” creates a sense of unity and coherence in the poem.
2.  Reader-Response Theory: Reader-Response Theory suggests that meaning is not inherent in the text but is instead created by the reader’s interpretation and response to it. In the case of “A Red, Red Rose,” readers may connect with the poem’s themes of love and devotion and the speaker’s use of vivid imagery and musical language. The line “O my Luve’s like the melodie / That’s sweetly play’d in tune” may evoke a range of emotions and associations in different readers, depending on their personal experiences and cultural background.
3.  New Criticism: New Criticism literary theory emphasizes close reading and analysis of a literary work’s literary devices, such as metaphor, imagery, and symbolism. In the case of “A Red, Red Rose,” the repetition of the word “luve” emphasizes the speaker’s intense feelings and creates a sense of unity and coherence in the poem. The use of vivid imagery, such as the comparison of the speaker’s love to a red rose, creates a powerful emotional impact on the reader.
4.  Marxist Theory: Marxist Theory emphasizes the social and economic forces that shape the experiences of individuals and groups. In the case of “A Red, Red Rose,” the line “And fare thee weel, my only Luve!” suggests that the speaker and his lover may be separated due to economic or social pressures. The poem may thus be seen as a reflection of the economic and social realities of Burns’ time, where class divisions and economic pressures often determined the course of romantic relationships.
5. Feminist Theory: Feminist Theory analyzes the representation of gender roles and relationships in literary works. In the case of “A Red, Red Rose,” the speaker’s use of possessive language, such as “my Luve” and “my dear,” can be seen as an expression of male dominance and control over the female figure. The poem may thus be seen as reinforcing traditional gender roles and relationships, where the male is the dominant figure and the female is the object of his desire.

Essay Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns

1. Topic: Use of Imagery and Language in “A Red, Red Rose.”

Question: How does Robert Burns use language and imagery in “A Red, Red Rose” to convey the depth of the speaker’s love for his beloved?

Thesis statement: Through the use of vivid language and rich imagery, Robert Burns conveys the depth of the speaker’s love for his beloved and emphasizes the enduring nature of true love.

2. Topic: Structure and Form of “A Red, Red Rose”

Question: In “A Red, Red Rose”, what is the significance of the poem’s structure and form? Thesis statement: By using a traditional ballad form and a simple structure, Robert Burns emphasizes the timelessness and universality of the poem’s theme of love.

3. Topic: Themes in “A Red, Red Rose”

Question: What themes are present in “A Red, Red Rose” and how do they contribute to the poem’s overall meaning?

Thesis statement: Through exploring themes of love, beauty, time, and nature, Robert Burns conveys the idea that true love is a timeless and essential part of the human experience.

4. Topic: Cultural and Historical Context of “A Red, Red Rose”

Question: How does “A Red, Red Rose” reflect the cultural and historical context in which it was written?

Thesis statement: By examining the cultural and historical context of the late 18th century in Scotland, it is possible to understand how Robert Burns’s “A Red, Red Rose” reflects the cultural values and social norms of the time, while also exploring universal themes of love and human emotion.

Short Questions-Answers about “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns

1. Question: How does the theme of time relate to the speaker’s expression of love in “A Red, Red Rose”?

Answer: The theme of time is central to the speaker’s expression of love in “A Red, Red Rose.” By repeatedly emphasizing the idea that he will love his beloved “till a’ the seas gang dry” and “while the sands o’ life shall run”, the speaker suggests that his love is eternal and enduring, and will remain constant even as time passes. This theme is particularly significant given the context in which Burns was writing, which was marked by rapid social and cultural change. Therefore, it may reflect his desire to emphasize the enduring nature of human emotions like love and affection.

2. Question: How does the use of ballad form in “A Red, Red Rose” relate to its themes of love and nature?

Answer: The use of a ballad form in “A Red, Red Rose” serves to emphasize the poem’s themes of love and nature by creating a simple and easily memorable structure that emphasizes the poem’s emotional content. This structure also reinforces the idea that the speaker’s love is timeless and universal. It is, therefore, much like the traditional ballads that have been passed down through generations. By emphasizing these themes through a traditional form, Burns highlights the enduring nature of love and nature and suggests that they are an essential part of the human experience.

3. Question: How does the use of imagery and metaphor in “A Red, Red Rose” contribute to its emotional impact?

Answer: The use of clear images and natural metaphor in “A Red, Red Rose” serves to deepen its emotional impact by creating a rich sensory experience for the readers. By comparing his beloved to a “red, red rose” and a sweetly played melody, the speaker evokes a sense of beauty and pleasure that heightens the emotional intensity of the poem. This imagery also serves to emphasize the speaker’s deep affection for his beloved, suggesting that she is not just an object of desire, but a source of beauty and pleasure that enhances his life.

4. Question: How does the speaker’s use of Scottish dialect in “A Red, Red Rose” contribute to its overall meaning?

Answer: The speaker’s use of Scottish dialect in “A Red, Red Rose” serves to emphasize the poem’s cultural and historical context, while creating a sense of intimacy and familiarity between the speaker and his audience. By using words like “luve” and “gang”, the speaker emphasizes his Scottish identity and the cultural traditions that shape his understanding of love and affection. This use of dialect also creates a sense of closeness between the speaker and his audience, suggesting that his expression of love is not just a personal statement, but a reflection of shared cultural values and experiences.