A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns summary and analysis

 

O my Luve is like a red, red rose

That’s newly sprung in June;

 O my Luve is like the melody

That’s sweetly played in tune.

The speaker begins by comparing his love to a "red, red rose," emphasizing its beauty and freshness. The repetition of "red" highlights the intensity of the emotion. June signifies a time of blooming and growth, suggesting that the love is new, fresh, and vibrant. June also suggests the peak of spring, a time associated with beauty and vitality.

The speaker again compares his love to a melody. This simile suggests that his love is harmonious and pleasing, like a well-played piece of music. The harmony and sweetness, indicate that the love is perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying.

 

So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,

So deep in luve am I;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

Till a’ the seas gang dry.

 

The speaker addresses his beloved directly, praising her beauty (fair) and affectionately calling her "bonnie lass" (a Scottish term for a pretty girl) and declares the depth of his love, indicating that his feelings are profound and sincere. He promises to love her continuously, emphasizing the consistency and endurance of his love. This hyperbolic expression signifies an impossible event, suggesting that his love will last forever, as the seas will never literally dry up.

 

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,

 And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;

I will love thee still, my dear,

While the sands o’ life shall run.

The refrain of this line strengthen the idea of eternal love, emphasizing the speaker’s commitment. Yet another hyperbolic image is the rocks melting with the sun is an impossible event, constitute the idea of everlasting love. The metaphor of "sands o’ life" refers to the passage of time (like an hourglass). The speaker vows to love her forever.

 

And fare thee weel, my only luve!

 And fare thee weel awhile!

And I will come again, my luve,

Though it were ten thousand mile.

The speaker bids farewell to his beloved, indicating a temporary separation. "Weel" is a Scottish variant of "well," adding a regional flavor to the farewell. The repetition underscores the sadness of parting, but the word "awhile" suggests that it is not a permanent goodbye.

The speaker assures his beloved that he will return, reaffirming his commitment despite the separation. This hyperbolic statement emphasizes the speaker’s willingness to overcome any distance to be with his beloved, demonstrating the strength and dedication of his love.

 

Critical Analysis:

The central theme is the enduring and deep nature of true love. The speaker’s use of hyperbole and other imageries to highlight the timeless and boundless quality of his feelings.

As a typical early romantic poet Burns uses natural imagery (rose, sea, rocks, sands) to convey the beauty and permanence of love. The poem's simplicity and repetitive structure enhance its musical quality, aligning with the comparisons to melody and tune.

The tone is romantic and passionate, while the mood is both tender and reassuring, reflecting the speaker’s deep affection and commitment.