Poem Analysis - Ca The Yowes To The Knowes

An Invitation to Nature and Love

Ca' The Yowes To The Knowes by Robert Burns is a pastoral love poem that invites the reader into a serene, natural landscape. The poem's tone is tender and romantic, with a sense of longing and commitment. It begins with a gentle, almost lulling rhythm, and maintains a consistent, soothing mood throughout. The speaker's affection for their beloved is clear, and the poem's repetition of the phrase my bonie dearie emphasizes this affection.

Themes of Love and Commitment

The primary theme of the poem is love, specifically the deep, enduring love between the speaker and their beloved. This love is expressed through the speaker's desire to be with their beloved in nature, and their promise to stay with them until death. The speaker's use of the phrase my dearie throughout the poem emphasizes their affection and commitment. Another theme is the beauty and tranquility of nature, which serves as a backdrop for the speaker's love. The speaker invites their beloved to see the waves glide beneath the hazels, and to lie in their arms and sleep, suggesting that nature is a place of peace and comfort. The final theme is the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The speaker promises to stay with their beloved until death, suggesting that their love is enduring and will last beyond their lifetime.

Recurring Symbols and Imagery

The poem is rich in imagery, particularly of nature. The yowes (ewes) and the knowes (hills) symbolize the pastoral setting and the simplicity of rural life. The burnie (stream) and the water-side represent the flow of life and the passage of time. The hazels and the moon add to the romantic atmosphere, suggesting a peaceful, moonlit night. The speaker's use of the phrase ca' the yowes to the knowes is a recurring symbol that ties the poem together, emphasizing the pastoral setting and the speaker's desire to be with their beloved in nature. The speaker's use of the phrase my bonie dearie is another recurring symbol that emphasizes their affection and commitment. The speaker's promise to stay with their beloved until death is a powerful symbol of their enduring love.

Nature as a Reflection of Love

The natural imagery in the poem serves to reflect and amplify the speaker's love. The tranquil, beautiful setting of the hills, the stream, and the hazels provides a fitting backdrop for the speaker's romantic feelings. The moon shining clearly suggests a romantic, moonlit night, adding to the atmosphere of love and affection. The speaker's invitation to their beloved to see the waves glide beneath the hazels and to lie in their arms and sleep suggests that nature is a place of peace and comfort, where they can be together and express their love. The speaker's promise to stay with their beloved until death, while waters wimple to the sea and day blinks in the lift sae hie, suggests that their love is enduring and will last beyond their lifetime, just as the natural world endures.

Conclusion

Ca' The Yowes To The Knowes is a beautiful love poem that uses natural imagery to express the speaker's deep, enduring affection for their beloved. The poem's recurring symbols and vivid imagery serve to emphasize the speaker's commitment and the tranquility of their love. The poem's consistent, soothing mood and the speaker's tender, romantic language create a powerful atmosphere of love and affection. The poem's final lines, with their promise of enduring love until death, leave the reader with a sense of the speaker's deep commitment and the beauty of their love.