Poem Analysis - Come Rede Me Dame

Robert Burns' poem "Come Rede Me Dame" is a bawdy and humorous exploration of sexual desire and satisfaction. The poem's tone is playful and irreverent, shifting from a lighthearted banter to a more explicit and assertive mood. The speaker engages in a frank discussion about sexual preferences, using vivid and often humorous language. The poem's colloquial and earthy language reflects the speaker's unapologetic approach to the subject matter.

Historical and Cultural Context

Robert Burns, a renowned Scottish poet, was known for his ability to capture the essence of Scottish life and culture in his works. His poetry often reflects the rural and working-class experiences of his time, using the Scots language to add authenticity and local flavor. "Come Rede Me Dame" is a classic example of Burns' use of bawdy humor and earthy language to explore human desires and experiences. The poem's setting in Annandale, a region in Scotland, grounds the narrative in a specific cultural and geographical context, adding depth to the poem's themes.

Themes of Sexual Desire and Satisfaction

The primary theme of the poem is sexual desire and satisfaction. The speaker engages in a dialogue with a "dame" (a woman) about the ideal length of a man's penis, using humorous and explicit language. The poem's opening lines set the tone for this frank discussion: "Come rede me dame, come tell me dame, My dame come tell me truly, What length o' graith when weel ca'd hame Will sair a woman duly?" The use of the word "graith" (a Scots term for penis) and the phrase "weel ca'd hame" (well called home) immediately establish the poem's bawdy and humorous tone. The speaker's question about the ideal length for a woman's satisfaction sets the stage for a playful and explicit exploration of sexual preferences.

The Role of Humor and Explicit Language

The poem's use of humor and explicit language is central to its exploration of sexual desire. The carlin (an old woman) responds to the speaker's question with a humorous and explicit answer: "Nine inch will please a lady." This response sets the stage for a more detailed and explicit discussion of sexual preferences. The carlin's assertion that "We'll tak tway thumb-bread to the nine, And that is a sonsy pintle" (we'll take two thumb-breadths to the nine, and that is a handsome penis) adds to the poem's bawdy humor. The use of explicit language and humorous imagery underscores the poem's playful and irreverent tone, making it a classic example of Burns' bawdy poetry.

The Importance of Technique and Satisfaction

The carlin's final lines emphasize the importance of technique over size: "But wear fa' the laithron doup And may it ne'er be thriving, It's not the length that makes me loup But it's the double drivin." The phrase "laithron doup" (a worthless fellow) and the assertion that "it's not the length that makes me loup" (jump) but "the double drivin'" (vigorous thrusting) highlight the carlin's preference for technique over size. This emphasis on technique and satisfaction adds depth to the poem's exploration of sexual desire, suggesting that pleasure is more about skill and effort than physical attributes. The carlin's explicit and humorous language underscores this point, making the poem a playful and insightful exploration of human sexuality.

Conclusion

"Come Rede Me Dame" is a playful and explicit exploration of sexual desire and satisfaction. Through its use of humor, explicit language, and vivid imagery, the poem offers a frank and unapologetic discussion of human sexuality. The carlin's emphasis on technique over size adds depth to the poem's themes, suggesting that pleasure is more about skill and effort than physical attributes. The poem's colloquial and earthy language reflects the speaker's unapologetic approach to the subject matter, making it a classic example of Robert Burns' bawdy poetry. The poem's significance lies in its ability to capture the essence of human desire and satisfaction in a playful and irreverent manner, offering a unique and insightful perspective on the complexities of human sexuality.