'Duncan Gray' by Robert Burns


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Duncan Gray cam here to woo,
Ha, ha, the wooing o't,
On blythe Yule Night when we were fu',
Ha, ha, the wooing o't,
Maggie coost her head fu' high,
Looked asklent and unco skeigh,
Gart poor Duncan stand abeigh;
Ha, ha, the wooing o't.

Duncan fleeched, and Duncan prayed;
Ha, ha, the wooing o't,
Meg was deaf as Ailsa Craig;
Ha, ha, the wooing o't,
Duncan sighed baith out and in,
Grat his een baith bleer't and blin',
Spak o' lowpin ower a linn;
Ha, ha, the wooing o't.

Time and Chance are but a tide,
Ha, ha, the wooing o't,
Slighted love is sair to bide,
Ha, ha, the wooing o't,
Shall I, like a fool, quoth he,
For a haughty hizzie dee?
She may gae to -France for me!
Ha, ha, the wooing o't.

How it comes let Doctors tell,
Ha, ha, the wooing o't,
Meg grew sick as he grew hale,
Ha, ha, the wooing o't,
Something in her bosom wrings,
For relief a sigh she brings;
And O her een, they spak sic things!
Ha, ha, the wooing o't.

Duncan was a lad o' grace,
Ha, ha, the wooing o't,
Maggie's was a piteous case,
Ha, ha, the wooing o't,
Duncan could na be her death,
Swelling Pity smoored his Wrath;
Now they're crouse and canty baith,
Ha, ha, the wooing o't.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Exciting Interpretation of Duncan Gray by Robert Burns

Duncan Gray, a classic piece of poetry by Robert Burns, is an intriguing work that captures the essence of love, betrayal, and human nature. Written in a Scottish dialect, this poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time.

Overview of the poem

The poem tells the story of Duncan Gray, a young man who is in love with a girl named Jean. Duncan is determined to marry Jean, but she is not ready to commit to him. Despite his efforts, Jean continues to play hard to get, leaving Duncan frustrated and confused.

As the poem progresses, Duncan becomes increasingly desperate to win Jean over. He tries every trick in the book, from showering her with gifts to serenading her at her window. However, nothing seems to work, and Jean remains indifferent to his advances.

The theme of love

The central theme of the poem is love, and how it can make people do crazy things. Burns portrays love as a powerful force that can drive people to the brink of madness. Duncan's obsession with Jean is a perfect example of this. He is willing to do anything to win her over, even if it means making a fool of himself.

At the same time, the poem also highlights the fickle nature of love. Jean's lack of interest in Duncan is a clear indication that love is not always reciprocal. Even though Duncan is head over heels in love with her, Jean remains uninterested, which leaves him heartbroken.

The theme of betrayal

Another important theme in the poem is betrayal. Duncan is betrayed by Jean, who he thought loved him. Jean's rejection of Duncan's advances is a clear indication that she does not feel the same way about him. However, instead of being honest with Duncan, she continues to lead him on, which only makes things worse.

This betrayal is further highlighted in the third stanza of the poem, where Burns writes:

"She's always kept him at a distance,
And mock'd his fond pursuit;
He should na tak' it a' sae serious,
Or lightly trow the cuit."

Here, Burns is suggesting that Jean is not only leading Duncan on, but she is also mocking him behind his back. This betrayal is what ultimately leads to Duncan's downfall, as he realizes that the woman he loves is not who he thought she was.

The use of dialect

One of the most striking features of the poem is Burns' use of dialect. The poem is written in a Scottish dialect, which gives it a unique flavor and adds to its charm. This dialect also helps to create a sense of authenticity, as it reflects the culture and traditions of Scotland.

At the same time, the use of dialect also makes the poem somewhat difficult to understand for non-Scots. However, this only adds to its allure, as it gives the poem a sense of mystery and intrigue.

The use of imagery

Finally, the poem is also notable for its use of imagery. Burns paints a vivid picture of the Scottish countryside, which serves as the backdrop for the story of Duncan Gray. He also uses imagery to describe the characters in the poem, particularly Jean, who is portrayed as a beautiful but elusive figure.

For example, in the first stanza of the poem, Burns writes:

"Duncan Gray cam' here to woo,
Ha, ha, the wooing o't,
On blythe Yule night when we were fou,
Ha, ha, the wooing o't."

Here, Burns is using imagery to describe the festive atmosphere of the Yule night, which sets the scene for Duncan's attempts to woo Jean.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Duncan Gray is a timeless poem that captures the essence of love, betrayal, and human nature. Burns' use of dialect and imagery adds to its charm, while its central themes continue to resonate with readers today. Whether you are a fan of poetry or not, there is something in this poem for everyone.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Duncan Gray, a classic poem written by Robert Burns, is a delightful and humorous tale of love and courtship. This poem is a perfect example of Burns' ability to capture the essence of Scottish life and culture in his writing. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem and how they contribute to its enduring popularity.

The poem tells the story of Duncan Gray, a young man who is in love with a woman named Jean. Duncan is determined to win Jean's heart, but she is not easily swayed. The poem is set in a rural Scottish village, and the language and imagery used by Burns evoke a sense of the countryside and the people who live there.

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD, which gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easy to remember. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the characters:

Duncan Gray cam here to woo, Ha, ha, the wooing o't, On blythe Yule night when we were fou, Ha, ha, the wooing o't. Maggie coost her head fu' high, Look'd asklent and unco skeigh, Gart poor Duncan stand abeigh; Ha, ha, the wooing o't.

The language used in this stanza is typical of Burns' writing, with its use of Scots dialect and colloquialisms. The phrase "fou" means drunk, and "skeigh" means shy or standoffish. The use of these words adds to the humor of the poem and helps to create a sense of the characters and their personalities.

The second stanza continues the story, with Duncan trying to win Jean's affections:

Duncan fleech'd, and Duncan pray'd; Ha, ha, the wooing o't, Meg was deaf as Ailsa Craig; Ha, ha, the wooing o't. Duncan sigh'd baith out and in, Grat his een baith bleert and blin', Spak o' lowpin o'er a linn; Ha, ha, the wooing o't.

In this stanza, we see Duncan's desperation as he tries to win Jean over. He flatters her ("fleech'd"), begs her ("pray'd"), and even cries ("grat his een baith bleert and blin'"). However, Jean remains unimpressed, and Duncan's efforts are in vain.

The third stanza introduces a new character, a rival for Jean's affections:

Time and chance are but a tide, Ha, ha, the wooing o't, Slighted love is sair to bide, Ha, ha, the wooing o't. Shall I, like a fool, quoth he, For a haughty hizzie die? She may gae to-France for me! Ha, ha, the wooing o't.

The use of the phrase "haughty hizzie" to describe Jean's rival is typical of Burns' writing, with its use of colorful and sometimes derogatory language. The stanza also introduces the theme of pride, with Duncan refusing to be humiliated by Jean's rejection and vowing to move on.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with Duncan reflecting on his failed courtship:

How it comes let doctors tell, Ha, ha, the wooing o't, Meg grew sick-as he grew well, Ha, ha, the wooing o't. Something in her bosom wrings, For relief a sigh she brings; And O, her een, they spak sic things! Ha, ha, the wooing o't.

In this stanza, we see a shift in the tone of the poem, with Duncan's humor giving way to a sense of sadness and regret. The use of the phrase "something in her bosom wrings" suggests that Jean may have had feelings for Duncan all along, but was too proud to admit it. The final line, "her een, they spak sic things," is a powerful image that suggests that Jean's eyes betrayed her true feelings.

Overall, Duncan Gray is a delightful and humorous poem that captures the essence of Scottish life and culture. Burns' use of Scots dialect and colloquialisms adds to the humor of the poem, while the themes of love, pride, and regret give it a depth and complexity that make it enduringly popular. Whether read aloud or silently, this poem is a joy to experience and a testament to Burns' skill as a writer.

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