Understanding the Text

Answer the following questions.

a. To which two things does the speaker compare his love in the first stanza?
In the first stanza, the speaker compares his love to a red rose that has newly bloomed and to a sweet melody that is played in tune. These comparisons show the freshness, beauty, and sweetness of his love for his beloved.

b. What does the speaker promise in the second and third stanzas?
In the second and third stanzas, the speaker promises that his love will last forever. He says that he will continue loving his beloved until the seas dry up, the rocks melt because of the sun, and human life comes to an end.

c. What imagery does he use in his promise, and why do you think he uses such language?
The speaker uses strong imagery such as dry seas, melting rocks, the end of human life, and a long journey. He uses such language to show that his love is very deep, true, and eternal, and that it is stronger than time and nature.

d. In the last stanza, what event is about to happen by mentioning the number of miles?
In the last stanza, by mentioning ten thousand miles, the speaker suggests that he is about to go on a long journey but promises that he will return to his beloved. This shows reunion and faithfulness in love.

e. Which image in the poem do you find the most memorable or surprising and why?
The image of the seas running dry is the most memorable because it is unusual and powerful. It strongly expresses how long and unending the speaker’s love is.

Reference to the Context

a. What can you infer about the speaker’s devotion to his beloved from the following lines?
And I will come again, my love, Tho’ it were ten thousand mile!

From these lines, we can understand that the speaker is deeply devoted to his beloved. He promises that no matter how far he has to travel, he will return to her. This shows his loyalty, faith, and strong commitment in love. These lines are taken from the poem A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns.

b. What is the theme of the poem?
The main theme of the poem is the power and eternity of true love. The speaker emphasizes that his love is not temporary but strong enough to survive time, distance, and difficulties. His love will last until the end of life itself.

c. Paraphrase the whole poem into simple prose form.
The poem describes the speaker’s deep and sincere love for his beloved. He compares her beauty to a fresh red rose and her sweetness to lovely music. He promises to love her until the seas dry up and the rocks melt. Even if he has to travel a very long distance, he assures her that he will return. The poem expresses true, faithful, and everlasting love.

d. Analyze the poem in terms of literary devices such as simile, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, and assonance.
The poet uses several literary devices in the poem. Simile is used when the speaker compares his love to a red rose and a sweet melody. Symbolism is seen in the rose, which stands for love and beauty. Imagery is created through pictures of flowers, music, dry seas, and melting rocks. Alliteration appears in the repetition of consonant sounds in lines like “red, red rose.” Assonance is used through repeated vowel sounds, which add musical quality to the poem.

e. What is hyperbole? Explain its purpose citing examples from the poem.
Hyperbole is an exaggeration used to emphasize strong feelings. In the poem, the speaker uses hyperbole when he says he will love his beloved until the seas dry up and the rocks melt in the sun. These exaggerated ideas show the depth and intensity of his love.

f. What is refrain? Why is it used in the poem? Explain with an example.
A refrain is a repeated line or phrase in a poem. It is used to emphasize the main idea and add rhythm. In this poem, lines like “And I will love thee still, my dear” and “And fare thee weel” act as refrains, highlighting the speaker’s constant love.

Reference Beyond the Text

a. What kind of love is expressed in “A Red, Red Rose”?
The poem A Red, Red Rose expresses romantic, pure, and everlasting love. The speaker’s love is sincere and deep, not based on physical attraction alone. He promises to love his beloved until the seas dry up and the rocks melt, which shows that his love will last beyond time and human life. His words reflect loyalty, faithfulness, and strong emotional attachment. This kind of love is ideal and true, as it remains unchanged despite time, distance, or difficulties.

b. Do you think love has power? Why do poets compose poems addressing their beloved?
Yes, love has great power because it connects people emotionally and gives meaning to human life. Love can inspire happiness, sacrifice, patience, and hope. It can also help people overcome pain and hardships. Poets compose poems addressing their beloved because poetry is a powerful and beautiful way to express emotions. Through poems, poets can express feelings that are difficult to say directly. Poetry adds beauty, depth, and emotion to love and helps preserve feelings forever in words.

c. Poetry is the expression of feelings and emotions. Explain.
Poetry is one of the strongest forms of expressing human feelings and emotions. Through poetry, poets express emotions such as love, joy, sorrow, pain, hope, fear, and imagination. Poetry allows writers to share their personal experiences and inner thoughts in a creative and artistic way. The use of rhythm, imagery, and figurative language makes emotions more meaningful and touching. Therefore, poetry is considered a powerful medium for expressing deep feelings and emotions of human life.