"A Red, Red Rose," a poem by Robert Burns, is about a blossoming, youthful, but everlasting love. Through this loving poem, Burns addresses his depth of fondness and affection toward his lover. His passion is so deep-rooted that it will still stay the same no matter how much time passes by. Burns cannot hold back his deep-rooted feelings and would use all the beautiful words to express his emotions if he could.
In the poem's first stanza, Burns states that his passion for his beloved is like a red rose sprouting in June and a melody playing sweetly in tune. The red rose can be seen as a symbol of the immense romance between Burns and his lover, while the sweet melody adds to the detail of the rose blooming in June, creating a fantasy of summer loving in the mind of the reader. This love being described is fresh and new, but Burns 2 already has many emotions about his connection with his lover. The joy that their love brings to him is incomparable to anything. Burn’s love is like the first ray of warm light that shined down on after the end of winter, the precious sweet dream that finally appeared after days of nightmares.
"So fair art thou, my bonnie lass," the youthfulness and beauty of his lover deepened his great passion towards her. "And I will luve thee still, my dear." Burns makes a profound promise to his love. He is deeply in love, to the point of being capable of feelings which are out of this world, and is certain that his love will last eternally. "Till a' the seas gang dry." Even when the season changes, all existence passes, Armageddon happens- his love for her will still live on. Repeating this idea, Burns ensures his lover that his affection for her will not be short-lived but will endure the test of time. "While the sand o' life shall run." As long as the earth moves and he lives one day, he will never stop loving her.
In the last stanza, Burns seems to be leaving and saying farewell to his lover, but promises her that he will soon return. Burns is clearly willing to go the distance he needs to 3 be with her. No matter how far, how tough, or how dull the road is. Burns’ love for the poem’s subject can, he feels, help him overcome any obstacles or challenges. Their love is stronger than anything, thus, his passion could not be stifled, even by their separation.
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 theme of this poem centers around romance. And the definition of true love gains a different meaning as the promises deepen between the lovers. The word choices used in the poem intensely conveyed emotions that humans might feel in love. Moreover, it had the perfect balance between temporary and eternal, showing the nature of true love rarely found in other poetries.