illustrated profiles of a man and a woman set against the backdrop of a red rose

A Red, Red Rose

by Robert Burns

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Student Question

What symbols are present in the poem "A Red, Red Rose"?

Quick answer:

Symbols which can be found in the poem "A Red, Red Rose" include the red rose, the month of June, and the seas.

Expert Answers

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"A Red, Red Rose" by Robert Burns features symbols such as the month of June, a red rose, and the seas.

Most notably, the red rose is used as a symbol to indicate the nature of the speaker's love. The rose itself symbolizes love, but the color of a rose is often believed to reflect various types of love. While yellow roses often symbolize the love between friends and pink roses are believed to symbolize appreciation, Burns selected the red rose in this poem to convey the speaker's feelings toward his beloved. The red rose is symbolic of a passionate or romantic love, which is important for his beloved to remember as they prepare to part company.

The speaker also reminds his beloved that their relationship is a "June" type of love. June, a warm month which is full of life, is often symbolic of energy and fertility. This further symbolizes the strength and passion between the speaker and his beloved.

This is a love that will last "till a' the seas gang dry," according to the speaker. Since the ocean is vast and unbelievably deep, this symbolizes the boundless depths of the speaker's love. It is nearly impossible to imagine a time when the oceans might dry up, and the speaker uses this association to remind his beloved that their love is equally steadfast.

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