Poem Analysis - On Seeing A Wounded Hare

Introduction: A Cry Against Cruelty

Robert Burns' On Seeing A Wounded Hare is a passionate outcry against human cruelty toward nature. The poem's tone shifts from anger to sorrow, beginning with a curse on the hunter and ending with a mournful reflection on the hare's fate. Burns' vivid imagery and emotional language create a powerful contrast between the beauty of nature and the brutality of mankind.

Historical Context: Burns and Nature

Robert Burns, a Scottish poet known for his love of nature and empathy for the oppressed, often wrote about rural life. In 18th-century Scotland, hunting was common, but Burns' poem challenges this practice, reflecting his Romantic-era values that emphasized compassion for all living beings. The poem's outrage aligns with Burns' broader critique of social injustice.

Theme 1: The Brutality of Humanity

The poem condemns human cruelty through strong language like "barb'rous art" and "murder-aiming eye." Burns curses the hunter, wishing them a life devoid of pity or joy. The hare's suffering—described as "mangled" and pressed into the "cold earth"—highlights humanity's capacity for violence, contrasting sharply with the innocence of the natural world.

Theme 2: The Fragility of Life

Burns emphasizes life's fragility by depicting the hare's final moments. Phrases like "the bitter little that of life remains" and "dying bed" underscore the abrupt end of a once-free creature. The poem mourns the loss of the hare's simple joys—"thickening brakes and verdant plains"—making its death feel even more tragic.

Symbolism: The Hare as Innocence

The wounded hare symbolizes innocence and vulnerability, while the hunter represents thoughtless destruction. The "sheltering rushes" and "dewy lawn" evoke a peaceful natural world disrupted by violence. Burns' personal connection—missing the hare by the "winding Nith"—suggests that such cruelty also robs humans of beauty and joy.

Conclusion: A Call for Empathy

Burns' poem is more than a lament; it’s a plea for empathy. By vividly portraying the hare's suffering and the hunter's moral emptiness, he challenges readers to reconsider their relationship with nature. The poem’s emotional depth ensures its message resonates long after the final line, reminding us of the cost of cruelty.