'Wounded Hare, The' by Robert Burns
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Inhuman man! curse on thy barb'rous art,
And blasted by thy murder-aiming eye;
May never pity soothe thee with a sigh,
Nor never pleasure glad thy cruel heart!
Go live, poor wanderer of the wood and field,
The bitter little of life that remains!
No more the thickening brakes and verdant plains
To thee shall home, or food, or pastime yield.
Seek, mangled wretch, some place of wonted rest,
No more of rest, but now of dying bed!
The sheltering rushes whistling o'er thy head,
The cold earth with thy bloody bosom Crest.
Oft as by winding Nith I, musing, wait
The sober eve, or hail the cheerful dawn,
I'll miss thee sporting o'er the dewy lawn,
And curse the ruffian's aim, and mourn thy hapless fate.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Wounded Hare: An Analysis of Robert Burns' Poetic Genius
Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, is known for his lyrical poetry that celebrated the everyday life of the Scottish people. One of his most poignant works is the poem "Wounded Hare," which captures the tragic fate of a helpless animal caught in the crosshairs of a hunter's gun. This poem is a testament to Burns' genius as a poet, his ability to evoke deep emotions through his words, and his skill in crafting a narrative that is both beautiful and heartbreaking.
The Poem
"Wounded Hare" is a six-stanza poem written in the Scottish dialect that Burns was famous for. The poem is narrated by the hunter who has just shot the hare, describing the scene of the animal's dying moments. The first and last stanzas of the poem are identical, creating a circular structure that reinforces the idea of the hare's cyclical fate:
I. Inhuman man! curse on thy barb'rous art And blasted be thy murder-aiming eye; May never pity soothe thee with a sigh, Nor ever pleasure glad thy cruel heart!
VI. Inhuman man! curse on thy barb'rous art, And blasted be thy murder-aiming eye; May never mercy, that withholds thy dart, No friendly hand to lift the frighted hare Half dead, from thy fell gripe, and to demand Why thou hast laid her bosom open bare, And with such seemingly-pleased, savage hand, Impress'd her bloodless features of despair!
The repetition of these lines creates a sense of inevitability and highlights the cyclical nature of the hare's suffering. The use of the words "inhuman" and "barb'rous" emphasizes the cruelty of the hunter's actions and creates a strong tone of condemnation.
The Hunter's Perspective
The poem is narrated from the perspective of the hunter, which creates an interesting tension between the speaker's condemnation of his own actions and his sense of pride in his hunting skills. The hunter describes the hare's panic and pain in vivid detail, but also takes pleasure in the "seemingly-pleased, savage hand" with which he kills the animal.
This tension is heightened by the fact that the hunter seems to recognize the hare's suffering, even as he inflicts it. He describes the "frighted hare / Half dead" and acknowledges the "bloodless features of despair" that he has left on the animal's face. This creates a sense of complexity in the character of the hunter, who is both cruel and compassionate at the same time.
The Hare's Suffering
The poem's central focus is on the hare's suffering, which is described in vivid detail. Burns uses language that is both beautiful and brutal to evoke the hare's pain and fear. The hare is described as "trembling, panting, bris'd, and bleedin'" and "wounded, bleeding, lifeless all."
The repetition of the word "bleeding" emphasizes the violence of the hare's death and creates a strong sense of empathy for the animal's suffering. The use of the word "lifeless" in the final stanza reinforces the idea that the hare's death is not just physical, but spiritual as well.
The Poetic Genius of Burns
"Wounded Hare" is a testament to Burns' poetic genius. The poem's use of repetition, circular structure, and vivid imagery creates a powerful emotional impact that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. Burns' use of language is masterful, creating a sense of empathy for the hare's suffering and condemnation for the hunter's actions.
The poem also highlights Burns' skill as a storyteller. The narrative structure of the poem creates a sense of inevitability, building up to the hare's tragic fate. The tension between the hunter's pride and his sense of compassion creates a complex character that is both flawed and sympathetic.
Overall, "Wounded Hare" is a masterpiece of Scottish poetry, and a testament to Burns' skill as a poet and storyteller. The poem is a powerful and emotional reminder of the cruelty that humans are capable of, and the tragic consequences that result from our actions.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Robert Burns is a name that is synonymous with Scottish literature, and his poem "Wounded Hare, The" is a classic example of his poetic genius. This poem is a perfect example of Burns' ability to capture the beauty and tragedy of nature in a few short lines. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in "Wounded Hare, The" to understand why it is considered a masterpiece of Scottish literature.
The poem begins with a description of a wounded hare, lying in a field, surrounded by its fellow creatures. The imagery used in this opening stanza is vivid and evocative, with Burns describing the hare as "bleeding, panting, and dying." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of human cruelty towards animals. Burns describes how the hare was wounded by a hunter's gun, and how its fellow creatures are powerless to help it. This theme of human cruelty towards animals is a recurring one in Burns' poetry, and it reflects his belief that humans have a responsibility to treat animals with kindness and respect.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. Burns describes how the hare's "mate and children" are gathered around it, "mourning its fate." This image of the hare's family mourning its loss is a powerful one, and it highlights the emotional depth of Burns' poetry. It also serves as a reminder that animals are not just mindless creatures, but living beings with their own families and social structures.
The fourth stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the natural world. Burns describes how the "wee birds" are singing in the trees, and how the "dewdrops" are glistening on the grass. This imagery is a stark contrast to the tragedy of the wounded hare, and it serves to emphasize the beauty and wonder of nature.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the transience of life. Burns describes how the hare's "fleeting life" has come to an end, and how it will soon be forgotten. This theme of the fleeting nature of life is a common one in poetry, but Burns' treatment of it is particularly poignant. He reminds us that life is precious, and that we should cherish every moment we have.
In terms of language, Burns' use of Scots dialect is particularly effective in this poem. The use of words like "wee" and "bairns" gives the poem a distinctly Scottish flavor, and it helps to create a sense of authenticity and intimacy. Burns' use of alliteration and repetition is also noteworthy, with phrases like "bleeding, panting, and dying" and "mate and children mourning its fate" adding to the poem's emotional impact.
In conclusion, "Wounded Hare, The" is a masterpiece of Scottish literature. Burns' ability to capture the beauty and tragedy of nature in a few short lines is truly remarkable, and his use of language and imagery is both evocative and powerful. This poem is a reminder of the fragility of life, and of our responsibility to treat all living beings with kindness and respect.
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