Poem Analysis - As I Lookd Over Yon Castle Wa

Introduction: A Bawdy Ballad

Robert Burns' "As I looked o'er yon castle wa'" is a boisterous and explicitly sexual poem, a far cry from the romantic idealism often associated with the poet. The poem recounts a crude encounter between a man and a woman, characterized by vulgar language and a defiant, almost comical, tone. Initially, the poem sets a pastoral scene, but quickly descends into ribaldry and earthy humor. The mood remains consistently irreverent, challenging conventional notions of courtship and gender roles through its exaggerated portrayal of sexual banter.

The Carnivalesque and Social Commentary

While Burns is celebrated for his romantic and patriotic works, he also wrote poems that challenged social norms, often employing humor and satire. "As I looked o'er yon castle wa'" can be seen in this light. The poem's blatant sexuality and the woman's defiant rejection of male authority can be interpreted as a form of social commentary, subverting traditional expectations of female modesty and subservience. The use of Scots dialect further grounds the poem in a specific cultural context, reflecting the everyday language and concerns of the common people.

Dominance, Defiance, and the Battle of the Sexes

One of the primary themes is the battle of the sexes, depicted not through romantic longing but through a crude power struggle. The man attempts to assert his dominance through sexual conquest, but the woman fiercely resists, challenging his authority and asserting her own agency. The lines "Temper your tail, Carlin, he cried, / Temper your tail by Venus' law; / Double your dunts, the dame replied, / Wha the deil can hinder the wind to blaw!" clearly illustrate this conflict. She refuses to conform to societal expectations ("Venus' law") and uses her body and language as weapons against him. The poem also explores the theme of masculinity and its perceived vulnerability. The woman's challenge to his virility, "If the wind o' my arse blaw you out o' my cunt, / Ye'll never be reckoned a man o 'weir," reveals a fear of inadequacy that underlies his aggressive behavior. Finally, defiance of social norms is a recurring theme. The explicit language and the portrayal of sexual encounters outside the bounds of traditional courtship are deliberate acts of rebellion against societal constraints.

Symbolism and Imagery: Earthy and Explicit

The poem employs vivid and often vulgar imagery to convey its themes. The "grey goose and a gled" initially suggest a natural setting, but quickly become metaphors for the participants in the sexual encounter. The wind imagery ("Wha the deil can hinder the wind to blaw!") symbolizes the woman's uncontrollable nature and her refusal to be tamed. The repeated use of Scots dialect, particularly in the descriptions of body parts and sexual acts, reinforces the poem's earthy and unrefined tone. The phrase "common law" at the end is particularly interesting. Is it a simple description of a sexual act, or does it imply a further subversion of societal expectations, suggesting that sexual encounters are ultimately governed by natural, rather than legal or moral, principles?

Conclusion: A Bawdy Rebellion

In conclusion, "As I looked o'er yon castle wa'" is a far cry from the typical romantic poetry associated with Burns. It is a bawdy and irreverent poem that uses explicit language and imagery to challenge traditional notions of gender roles and sexual behavior. Through its portrayal of a crude but ultimately empowering encounter between a man and a woman, the poem offers a glimpse into a more rebellious and unconventional side of Burns's poetic vision, revealing a defiant spirit that questions authority and celebrates the untamed aspects of human nature.