Poem Analysis - Birthday Ode For 31st December 1787

Introduction: A Lament for Lost Royalty

Robert Burns' "Birthday Ode For 31st December, 1787" is a powerful and passionate lament for the exiled Stuart king and a fiery call for vengeance against the usurping Brunswick line. The poem begins with sorrowful imagery of the exiled king's impoverished state, haunted by memories of lost power. As the poem progresses, the tone shifts from mournful to defiant, invoking the memory of past heroes and prophesying a future of retribution. The poem ends with a vengeful and almost bloodthirsty vision of justice for the Stuarts.

Historical Context: Jacobitism in Burns' Time

Burns wrote this poem during a period when Jacobitism, the movement to restore the Stuart dynasty to the British throne, was waning but not entirely extinguished in Scotland. The Stuart dynasty had been deposed in 1688, and several attempts were made to restore them, most notably the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745. Although these risings were defeated, sympathy for the Stuarts persisted, particularly in the Scottish Highlands. Burns, while officially loyal to the Hanoverian monarchy, often expressed Jacobite sentiments in his poetry, reflecting the complex political loyalties of many Scots at the time. His poem, therefore, can be understood as a coded expression of support for the Stuart cause under the guise of birthday celebration.

Theme of Loss and Exile: The King Without a Kingdom

One of the central themes of the poem is the loss and exile of the Stuart king. The opening lines vividly portray the king as a wanderer, "Afar the illustrious Exile roams," reduced to living "On transient pity's bounty fed." The contrast between his former status ("Whom kingdoms on this day should hail") and his current destitution is striking. The imagery of "Beasts of the forest" having homes while the king "Owns not the lap of earth where rests his royal head!" emphasizes the depth of his misfortune. This theme serves to evoke sympathy for the exiled king and to highlight the injustice of his situation.

Theme of Vengeance: A Call to Arms

Another important theme is the desire for vengeance against those who usurped the Stuart throne. This theme is developed through violent and aggressive imagery. Burns invokes the "unmuzzled hounds of hell" and envisions "murdering eyes" devouring the Brunswick line. The comparison of the vengeful force to a "snowy ruin" crashing down on a cottage is particularly powerful. The poem builds towards a crescendo of retribution, promising that "Usurping Brunswick's pride shall lay, / And Stewart's wrongs and yours, with tenfold weight repay." This focus on vengeance reveals the poem's underlying Jacobite sentiments and its call for justice, however bloody, for the deposed Stuarts.

Theme of Loyalty: An Unwavering Allegiance

The poem emphasizes unwavering loyalty to the Stuart cause. The speaker and their compatriots "solemnize this sorrowing natal day" to "prove our loyal truth." This loyalty is expressed in the invocation of past Scottish heroes, such as Dundee and Balmerino, who "nobly perished in the glorious cause." By associating the current Stuart king with these heroic figures, Burns elevates the Stuart cause and underscores the importance of remaining faithful to it, even in the face of adversity. The poem, therefore, functions as a rallying cry to maintain allegiance to the Stuarts and to remember the sacrifices made in their name.

Symbols of Power and Ruin: Purple, Blood, and Snow

Several key symbols contribute to the poem's overall message. The "imperial purple" represents the lost power and majesty of the Stuart monarchy, while the "casual shed" symbolizes their current state of poverty and dispossession. Blood is a recurring image, representing both the past sacrifices of Jacobite heroes and the future violence of retribution. The image of the "snowy ruin" is also particularly evocative. The snow, initially pure and seemingly harmless, transforms into a destructive force that overwhelms and crushes. This can be interpreted as a symbol of the pent-up anger and resentment of the Jacobites, which, once unleashed, will be devastating. Could the image of snow also be interpreted as the hidden strength of a cause that seems inactive on the surface?

Conclusion: A Fiery Testament

In conclusion, "Birthday Ode For 31st December, 1787" is a complex and passionate poem that expresses sympathy for the exiled Stuart king, celebrates Jacobite heroes, and calls for vengeance against the Brunswick dynasty. Through vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and a shifting tone, Burns captures the fervor of Jacobite sentiment and transforms a birthday celebration into a fiery testament to loyalty and a prophecy of retribution. The poem's enduring power lies in its ability to evoke both sorrow and outrage, making it a compelling expression of the political and emotional landscape of Scotland in the late 18th century.