Poem Analysis - Supper Is Na Ready

A Playful Domestic Scene

Robert Burns's "Supper is na ready" presents a lighthearted and suggestive exchange between a husband and wife. The poem's tone is playful and teasing, hinting at a deeper intimacy beneath the surface. The shift from the husband's direct proposition to the wife's coy response creates a humorous tension, leaving the reader to imagine the unspoken desires and boundaries within their relationship. It's a brief snapshot of domestic life, tinged with wit and affection.

Echoes of Courtly Love

While Burns often wrote about rural life and common folk, this poem carries a faint echo of courtly love traditions. Roseberry's address to his wife as "My hinnie and my succour" suggests a degree of formality and reverence, even as he makes a rather forward suggestion. The "bonny lady's" response, while seemingly demure, is carefully crafted and hints at a power dynamic where she controls the pace of their intimacy. This interplay of formality and desire adds a layer of sophistication to the seemingly simple exchange.

Desire and Deferral

One of the central themes is the interplay between desire and deferral. Roseberry clearly expresses his desire, presenting two options: "the thing you ken" (presumably sexual intimacy) or supper. The lady, however, chooses to delay gratification. Her reply, "But supper is na ready," is a gentle rejection that simultaneously acknowledges his desire while asserting her own boundaries. This deferral amplifies the underlying sensuality by creating anticipation and highlighting the importance of timing and consent within the relationship.

Food as Metaphor

The recurring image of "supper" acts as a clever metaphor. On the surface, it's simply a meal, a basic necessity. However, within the context of the poem, it takes on a double meaning. Supper can be interpreted as a placeholder for the lady's willingness to engage in "the thing you ken." Her saying it's "na ready" isn't necessarily about the food itself, but about her readiness for intimacy. The simple image of a meal becomes loaded with suggestive possibilities, contributing to the poem's overall playful and suggestive tone.

The Power of Subtlety

The poem's most powerful element is its subtlety. Burns masterfully avoids explicit language, relying instead on implication and innuendo. The phrase "the thing you ken" is particularly effective, leaving the reader to fill in the blanks and imagine the couple's shared understanding. This ambiguity allows for multiple interpretations and invites the reader to actively participate in the creation of the poem's meaning. The poem raises a question: Is she genuinely waiting for supper to be ready, or is she simply teasing her husband and asserting her agency in their relationship?

A Lasting Impression

"Supper is na ready" is more than just a simple domestic scene; it's a glimpse into a relationship characterized by affection, playful banter, and mutual respect. Through subtle language and clever imagery, Burns explores themes of desire, deferral, and the unspoken dynamics within a marriage. The poem's enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture a moment of intimate connection, leaving the reader with a sense of warmth and a lingering smile, demonstrating that intimacy and affection can be conveyed through the simplest of exchanges.