If Burns were not to use these, the poem would be far less romantic and speech like.
In poetry the use of adjectives adds to the description. Both poems ‘First love’ and ‘A red, red rose’ use this method. It is immediately recognised in the title of ‘A red, red rose.’ Not only is the rose red but Burns extends this simile to make it ‘A red, red rose’. This simile also creates the feeling of romance. The recognised meaning of a red rose is the symbol of love and beauty and a roses gorgeous and intense colour and smell, also adding to why Burns used this romantic language. Burns also used other similes. In the first stanza he refers to his love as a melody. He then again extends it, not only is it ‘a melody’ but it is ‘sweetly play’d in tune.’
John Clare also used this method of extending similes. He says ‘her face it bloomed like a sweet flower’ again ‘sweet’ being an extension of flower and bloomed. This enhancement making the verse sound more romantic and affectionate. Clare’s choice of verbs and adjectives is also noticeable within the poem. Verbs such as ‘bloomed,’ ‘stole,’ ‘rushed,’ ‘struck,’ and ‘single,’ are emphatic, here Clare also uses onomatopoeia where ‘bloomed’ sounds like it is said. Almost every sentence uses emphasis, not only is his life turned to clay but ‘all’ is, not only does his face turn pale but it turns ‘deadly’ pale. Deadly being connected with death and suffering. Clare exclaims that his life is ‘turned to clay’ this suggesting that the rest of his life, with out this women seems dull, boring and almost lifeless.
Burns uses different methods to explain his love. Words such as ‘bonnie lass’, ‘dear ’and‘ only love’ are used as terms of endearment, these terms adding to the continuous adoring tone.
He also uses terms such as ‘ O’ ’ to create passion and feeling. Here he is apostrophising.
Each poem uses alliteration we first notice it in the first line of
‘A red, red rose,’ here it alliterates ‘red, red, rose’ alliteration is also used in ‘First love’ here it is used to an extreme ‘so sudden and so sweet,’ this sibilant sound. It is then used again in the 4th stanza ‘blood burnt’ this is to express the image of the blood pumping fast around the heart. The method of alliteration in each poem is again simple and yet effective.
Each poem takes a different view on love ‘A red, red rose’ is about how brilliant love is. He tells us how nothing compares to his love and that it is everlasting; ‘till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, and the rocks melt wi’ the sun: I will luve thee still.’ Not only is the language simple it is very relaxed and romantic. Burns accent is seen within the poem he writes this poem how it would be spoken by a Scotsman, not only does he use Scottish terms, ‘my bonnie lass,’ he cuts short words
‘ a’ ’ instead of all and ‘wi’ ’ instead of with. He does this in order to express the Scottish dialect.
Clare’s view on love is expressed much differently to Burn’s he is telling us about the moment he set eyes on his ‘first love’ he explains how it felt in every detail, the whole poem being a reality of a moments glance. I believe that what he saw he may not of been able to have. That feeling of gain but loss. He exclaims that ‘he couldn’t see a single thing, words from my eyes did start,’ this telling us that although he didn’t talk through voice he did through his eyes,’ a romantic and true comment, this showing Clare’s honesty as a poet.
He then goes on to ask two rhetorical questions, ‘are flowers the winters choice?’ ‘Is loves bed always snow?’ here he is asking himself if his loves bed is always cold, and if flowers are domed cold in winter – agony. He is using an adoring, passionate tone for his first love, but he himself comes across as rather depressed for he can almost not touch what he wants so much. Unlike Burn’s, Clare writes in Standard English, this due to the difference in culture between the poets.
Despite each poet’s similar use of techniques, each poems meanings are individual. One is about the declaration of mature love and almost at the end of a cycle, where the poet is leaving, and will one day return and the other a sighting of love, almost the complete reverse for instead of being at the end of something special it is at the beginning. For a women has stolen his heart forever. Both poems are full of feeling, honest emotion, and passion.
Each explaining the simple meaning of true love and romance.
By Laura Meszaros 10SCA
