Transcript Robert Burns and His Poems

Robert Burns and His Poems
Merlyn Mannov
XI A
Robert burns (1759-1796)
was born
in January 25th
1759
Died at the early
age of 37 on the
morning of 21th
July 1796
25th January is
Robert Burns’s
Day
His father William
Burns was a
gardener
in 1757 William
married Agnes
Brown
The Early Years
spent his first seven years at Alloway
when he was 18 the family moved to
Lochlea (or Lochlie) and Burns had to
turn his hand to farm work
attended a local school
received additional instruction in
Latin, French and mathematics
when he was about 15 he first turned
his hand to poetry
became a freemason in 1781
Early Manhood
after his father's death in 1784 the family
moved to Mossgiel farm
he had frequent conflict with the Kirk
the years 1784 to 1785 were one of
Burns's most prolific periods
he wrote 'Holy Willie's Prayer', 'To A
Mouse', 'The Jolly Beggars'and 'The
Holy Fair'
Burns had farming
and personal
difficulties
and his willingness
to marry Jean
Armour was
oppossed by his
father
wanted to emigrate
to Jamaica
Burns's ‘Poems,
Chiefly in the
Scottish Dialect’
was printed in July
1786 by John
Wilson of
Kilmarnock
sold out within a
month
Edinburgh
Burns decided to
further his literary
ambitions by
visiting Edinburgh
he met Mrs Agnes
McLehose, with
whom he
established a
platonic
relationship
pseudonyms
'Clarinda' and
'Sylvander'
Ae Fond Kiss
sent to Mrs
McLehose
after their final
meeting in
December
1791
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll
pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll
wage thee.
Who shall say that Fortune
grieves him,
While the star of hope she leaves
him?
Me, nae cheerful twinkle lights
me;
Dark despair around benights me.
I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy,
Naething could resist my Nancy:
But to see her was to love her;
Love but her, and love for ever.
Had we never lov'd sae kindly,
Had we never lov'd sae blindly,
Never met-or never parted,
We had ne'er been brokenhearted.
Fare-thee-weel, thou first and
fairest!
Fare-thee-weel, thou best and
dearest!
Thine be ilka joy and treasure,
Peace, Enjoyment, Love and
Pleasure!
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Ae fareweeli alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll
pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage
thee
Final Years
spent the final years of his life in
Dumfriesshire
attempted to farm at Ellisland, but the
ground was so exhausted that this
ultimately proved fruitless
charges of political disloyalty were
raised against him
died at the age of
37 on 21 July 1796
On the day of his
funeral, his wife
gave birth to their
youngest son,
Maxwell
Poetry
wrote not only in the Scots language
but also in the Scottish English dialect
of the English language
Some of his works, such as Love and
Liberty, are written in both Scots and
English for various effects.
his themes included republicanism
and Radicalism
It is though that he suffered from
manic depression ("blue devilism“)
a proto-Romantic poet
influenced William Wordsworth,
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Percy
Bysshe Shelley, also American
novelist John Steinbeck
became the "people's poet" of Russia
Scots Wha Hae
Scots, wha hae wi Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed
Or to victorie!
Now's the day, and now's the
hour:
See the front o' battle lour,
See approach proud Edward's
power--Chains and slaverie!
Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha can fill a coward's grave?
Wha sae base as be a slave?--Let him turn, and flee!
Wha for Scotland's King and Law
Freedom's sword will strongly
draw,
Freeman stand, or Freeman fa',
Let him follow me!
By Oppression's woes and pains,
By your sons in servile chains,
We will drain your dearest veins,
But they shall be free!
Lay the proud usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in every foe!
Liberty's in every blow!--Let us do, or die!
Thank you for attention!