A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns (Summary, analysis, theme, symbols)

Introduction to the poet

Robert Burns (1759 – 1796) was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language. He also wrote in standard English.

About the poem

This poem is a lyrical ballad that describes the speaker’s deep love for his beloved and promises that his love will last longer than human life. 

The beloved of the speaker is as beautiful as the red rose and as sweet as the music.

With the help of literary devices, the poet has sketched a very vivid and realistic picture of his profound love for his beloved.

Poem

O, my love is like a red, red rose, 

That's newly sprung in June.

O, my love is like the melody, 

That's sweetly played in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonny lass, 

So deep in love am I, 

And I will love thee still, my dear, 

Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt wi' the sun!

And I will love thee still, my dear, 

While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only love,

And fare thee weel a while!

And I will come again, my love, 

Tho’ it was ten thousand miles!

Short Summary

The poet is in love with a woman. The beloved is very beautiful like a red rose in June. She is as sweet as the melody of the musical instrument played in fine-tune. The poet's beloved is very fine and slim. The poet loves his beloved till the seas are dried and rocks are melted by the heat of the sun. He loves her until the end of human life. Now the poet wishes for the good life and bright future of his beloved. He promises to meet her even if he has to walk ten thousand miles.

Analysis of the poem

• The speaker artistically draws a picture of his penetrating and intense love. He paints this picture with profound emotions.
• The speaker compares his adorable beloved with “a red rose” and “sweet melody” to intensify his deep feelings for her.
• He addresses her declaring that his love for her will stay still until the seas dry up and the rocks melt because his beloved is so loveable. 
• His love for her will last until there are humans on this planet.
• Due to some reasons, he has to go far away from her but he promises to return to her even if he has to travel thousands of miles.

Use of simile in the poem

A simile is a device used to compare an object or a person with something else using “like” or “as” to make the meaning clear to the readers.

The first is used in the first line, “O my love is like a red, red rose”.

The second is used in the third line, “O my love is like the melody”.

Use of hyperbole

Hyperbole is a device used to exaggerate a statement for the sake of emphasis.

The poet has also used hyperbole in the last line of the second stanza, ‘Till a’ the seas gang day.’

The next is used in the third stanza, ‘And the rocks melt wi’ the sun.’

Imagery

Imagery is the use of language in a literary work to evoke a sense of impression.

The poet uses visual imagery in the poem such as “O, my love is like a red, red rose,” “Till a' the seas gang dry”, “And the rocks melt wi' the sun”,  “While the sands o' life shall run”.

Use of Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line such as the sounds of /l/ and /r/ in:

“O my love is like a red, red rose.”

Important Questions

• What is the theme of the poem?
• What does the poet compare love to?
• What imagery does he use in his promise, and why do you think he uses such language?
• Which image in the poem do you find most memorable or surprising and why?
• What is hyperbole? Explain its purpose by citing examples of hyperbole used in the poem.
• What is a refrain? Why is it used in the poem? Explain citing an example from the poem.