Skip to main content

"O, my Luve is like a red, red rose/ That's newly sprung in June;" What is the feeling inspired by this quote from Robert Burns' poem, "A Red,...

This is one of the most famous short poems by Scottish poet Robert Burns. The feelings experienced upon reading it may differ from one reader to the next. Some readers may find the poem overly sentimental or simplistic, or just plain old-fashioned (well, it was written over two hundred years ago!); but most readers will agree that it is a strong declaration of love from the speaker to the subject.


This first line is very...

This is one of the most famous short poems by Scottish poet Robert Burns. The feelings experienced upon reading it may differ from one reader to the next. Some readers may find the poem overly sentimental or simplistic, or just plain old-fashioned (well, it was written over two hundred years ago!); but most readers will agree that it is a strong declaration of love from the speaker to the subject.


This first line is very visual; the color red is repeated twice. The color red is associated with love, romance, sexuality, passion, and desire. The flower is "newly sprung in June" and so it is a fresh bloom, at the height of the flowering season. June is a traditional month for weddings. Spring is the season of growth and fertility, reflected in the natural world, which was a favorite subject of Burns that appears throughout his poetry and songs. This is a very symbolic image: the rose is often said to symbolize female genitalia, and many traditional songs of the British Isles refer to the "roses" in a pretty girl's cheeks or lips, referring to their red or pink hue. 


The freshness and newness of the image of the rose gives a feeling of hope and infatuation to this lover's song; but the poem ends with him saying farewell. It seems important for the poem to begin on this note of optimism and passion, to establish the strength of feeling the speaker feels for the subject.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more