'Address To The Unco Guid, Or The Rigidly Righteous' by Robert Burns
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My Son, these maxims make a rule,
An' lump them aye thegither;
The Rigid Righteous is a fool,
The Rigid Wise anither:
The cleanest corn that ere was dight
May hae some pyles o' caff in;
So ne'er a fellow-creature slight
For random fits o' daffin.
Solomon.-Eccles. ch. vii. verse 16.
O ye wha are sae guid yoursel',
Sae pious and sae holy,
Ye've nought to do but mark and tell
Your neibours' fauts and folly!
Whase life is like a weel-gaun mill,
Supplied wi' store o' water;
The heaped happer's ebbing still,
An' still the clap plays clatter.
Hear me, ye venerable core,
As counsel for poor mortals
That frequent pass douce Wisdom's door
For glaikit Folly's portals:
I, for their thoughtless, careless sakes,
Would here propone defences-
Their donsie tricks, their black mistakes,
Their failings and mischances.
Ye see your state wi' theirs compared,
And shudder at the niffer;
But cast a moment's fair regard,
What maks the mighty differ;
Discount what scant occasion gave,
That purity ye pride in;
And (what's aft mair than a' the lave),
Your better art o' hidin.
Think, when your castigated pulse
Gies now and then a wallop!
What ragings must his veins convulse,
That still eternal gallop!
Wi' wind and tide fair i' your tail,
Right on ye scud your sea-way;
But in the teeth o' baith to sail,
It maks a unco lee-way.
See Social Life and Glee sit down,
All joyous and unthinking,
Till, quite transmugrified, they're grown
Debauchery and Drinking:
O would they stay to calculate
Th' eternal consequences;
Or your more dreaded hell to state,
Damnation of expenses!
Ye high, exalted, virtuous dames,
Tied up in godly laces,
Before ye gie poor Frailty names,
Suppose a change o' cases;
A dear-lov'd lad, convenience snug,
A treach'rous inclination-
But let me whisper i' your lug,
Ye're aiblins nae temptation.
Then gently scan your brother man,
Still gentler sister woman;
Tho' they may gang a kennin wrang,
To step aside is human:
One point must still be greatly dark, -
The moving Why they do it;
And just as lamely can ye mark,
How far perhaps they rue it.
Who made the heart, 'tis He alone
Decidedly can try us;
He knows each chord, its various tone,
Each spring, its various bias:
Then at the balance let's be mute,
We never can adjust it;
What's done we partly may compute,
But know not what's resisted.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Address To The Unco Guid, Or The Rigidly Righteous by Robert Burns: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist who is widely considered as the national poet of Scotland. He was known for his exceptional ability to express the essence of the Scottish way of life and culture through his literary works. One of his famous poems is the "Address to the Unco Guid, or the Rigidly Righteous," which was written in 1786.
The poem addresses the hypocrisy of those who claim to be righteous and good, yet are judgmental and intolerant of others. Burns uses his signature Scottish dialect to convey his message, making the poem both entertaining and profound. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language of the poem to better understand its meaning and relevance even today.
Themes
One of the primary themes in "Address to the Unco Guid" is hypocrisy. Burns scathingly criticizes those who claim to be righteous and good, yet are intolerant and judgmental of others. He exposes the double standards of these self-righteous individuals who fail to see their own flaws and shortcomings.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the importance of being true to oneself. Burns encourages his readers to be honest and authentic, rather than trying to conform to societal standards and expectations. He praises those who are willing to be themselves, even if it means going against the norm.
The poem also touches upon the power dynamics at play in society. Burns highlights the tendency of those in positions of power to use their authority to oppress others. He calls for a more equitable and just society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
Imagery
Burns uses vivid imagery to convey his message in "Address to the Unco Guid." One example of this is in the opening lines of the poem, where he describes the rigidly righteous as "holy Willie's prayer-like," referring to the character of Holy Willie in his earlier poem, "Holy Willie's Prayer." The image of a person praying fervently is juxtaposed with the hypocrisy of Holy Willie himself, who was known for his judgmental and intolerant behavior.
Another powerful image in the poem is the metaphor of the "blind harpers" who are unable to see the beauty of the world around them. Burns suggests that those who are rigidly righteous are like these blind harpers, unable to appreciate the diversity and complexity of the world.
Burns also uses animal imagery to convey his message. He compares the rigidly righteous to "wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beasties," which are often depicted as vulnerable and easily frightened. This image suggests that those who claim to be righteous are actually weak and afraid, hiding behind their facade of righteousness.
Language
The language of "Address to the Unco Guid" is one of its most distinctive features. Burns writes in his signature Scottish dialect, using colloquialisms and slang to convey his message. This dialect adds a sense of authenticity to the poem, making it feel like a genuine expression of Scottish culture and values.
Another characteristic of Burns' language is his use of irony and satire. He employs these literary devices to expose the hypocrisy and double standards of the rigidly righteous. For instance, he describes the "hypocrite with holy leer" who appears to be righteous but is actually judgmental and intolerant.
Burns also uses repetition in the poem to emphasize his message. The phrase "O ye wha are sae guid yoursel" is repeated throughout the poem, highlighting the hypocrisy of those who claim to be righteous. The repetition creates a sense of rhythm and flow, making the poem both musical and memorable.
Conclusion
"Address to the Unco Guid" is a powerful poem that exposes the hypocrisy of those who claim to be righteous and good. Burns uses his signature Scottish dialect, vivid imagery, and biting satire to convey his message. The poem resonates even today, as we continue to grapple with issues of hypocrisy and intolerance in our society.
Through his poem, Burns encourages us to be true to ourselves, to embrace diversity and complexity, and to strive for a more equitable and just society. "Address to the Unco Guid" is a testament to Burns' enduring legacy as a poet and a voice for social justice.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Address To The Unco Guid, Or The Rigidly Righteous: A Masterpiece by Robert Burns
Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, is known for his exceptional ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his poetry. One of his most famous works, Address To The Unco Guid, Or The Rigidly Righteous, is a satirical masterpiece that exposes the hypocrisy and self-righteousness of the religious establishment of his time. In this article, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to understand its significance and relevance even today.
Themes
The poem is a scathing critique of the religious establishment of Burns' time, which he saw as being rigidly righteous and judgmental. The poem is addressed to these "unco guid" or "rigidly righteous" people who, in Burns' view, were more concerned with outward appearances and following strict religious codes than with true piety and compassion. Burns' message is clear: true religion is not about following rules and regulations but about living a life of love and kindness towards others.
The poem also touches on the theme of hypocrisy, as Burns exposes the double standards of those who claim to be righteous but are quick to judge and condemn others. He points out that these people are often guilty of the same sins they condemn in others, and that their self-righteousness is nothing more than a mask to hide their own flaws and weaknesses.
Structure
The poem is written in the form of a letter, addressed to the "unco guid" or "rigidly righteous" people. It is divided into four stanzas, each with six lines, and follows a strict rhyme scheme (AABCCB). The poem is written in Scots dialect, which adds to its authenticity and gives it a unique flavor.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with Burns addressing the "unco guid" in a sarcastic and mocking tone. He accuses them of being "righteous" and "holy" but lacking in true piety and compassion. He also points out that they are quick to judge and condemn others, while ignoring their own flaws and weaknesses.
The second stanza continues the theme of hypocrisy, as Burns exposes the double standards of the "unco guid". He points out that they are often guilty of the same sins they condemn in others, and that their self-righteousness is nothing more than a mask to hide their own flaws and weaknesses.
The third stanza is a call to action, as Burns urges the "unco guid" to look beyond their own self-righteousness and to show compassion and kindness towards others. He reminds them that true religion is not about following rules and regulations but about living a life of love and kindness towards others.
The fourth and final stanza is a warning to the "unco guid", as Burns reminds them that they will be judged by a higher power and that their self-righteousness will not save them. He urges them to repent and to seek true piety and compassion, rather than relying on their own self-righteousness.
Language
The language of the poem is one of its most striking features, as Burns uses Scots dialect to give the poem a unique flavor and to capture the essence of the Scottish people and culture. The use of dialect also adds to the authenticity of the poem, as it reflects the language and speech patterns of the people Burns was writing about.
The language of the poem is also highly satirical and mocking, as Burns uses humor and irony to expose the hypocrisy and self-righteousness of the "unco guid". He uses vivid imagery and metaphors to paint a picture of these people as being rigid and inflexible, lacking in true piety and compassion.
Conclusion
Address To The Unco Guid, Or The Rigidly Righteous is a masterpiece of Scottish poetry, and a scathing critique of the religious establishment of Burns' time. The poem is a powerful reminder that true religion is not about following rules and regulations but about living a life of love and kindness towards others. Burns' use of Scots dialect, satire, and humor make the poem a joy to read, while its message is as relevant today as it was when it was written over two hundred years ago.
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