ROBERT BURNS

Robert Burns
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The Robert Burns poem entitled Oh, My Love Is like a Red; Red Rose displays quintessential deployment of various stylistic devices. These are visible from Burns diction in choosing his title, which in itself is a blatant simile with a metaphoric undertone. Further, an analytical review of the poem is revealing of the similarly abundant instances of effective use of symbolism, which is discussed as follows:
Notable instances of effective use of metaphors and symbolism are evident in the poem. This includes the poet’s description of love as, ‘…like the melody… sweetly played in tune’ (Burns, 1890). In a bid at imagery, the author speaks of the depth of his love and likens this to a sea. He declares his love and states, ‘So deep in love am I’ (Burns, 1890).
These exemplary instances of literary genius are of great importance to the reader. This is primarily because they offer the reader an insight into the persona, enabling them to decipher the tone and indeed understand the author’s musings. It is apparent that the persona in the poem was love-struck, but the object of their desires was taken away in an untimely fashion. This is especially evident from the poet’s hyperbolic and apocalyptic conclusion; merely stating, ‘…I will come again…though it were ten thousand miles’ (Burns, 1890).
In this poem, the author exhibits effective use of metaphors and symbolism for various reasons, chief amongst them being, to create a substantial feel of the subject matter to the readers.

Indeed, Burns opts to like the red attributes of his love to a rose; a familiar and easily relatable object. Further, the poet deploys effective use of metaphors when he compares the abundance of his desire to the vastness of a sea — this he does to create hyperbolic imagery.

Reference
Burns, R., & Riley, J. W. (1890). My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose. AW Auner, song publisher & printer, Tenth and Race Sts., Philadelphia, Pa.